NONPRODUCTIVE Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

nonproductive

adjective

Definition of nonproductive

as in worthless

Related Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of nonproductive North Dakota adopted a bill last year requiring a legislative council to study the feasibility of using nonproductive wells to generate geothermal power. — Maria Gallucci, Wired News, 16 May 2026 Returning nonproductive properties to the tax rolls, creating jobs and boosting the quality of life are only some of the benefits of redeveloping troubled properties. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026 Pruning also thins nonproductive stems, allowing light to reach the interior of the tree and ripen the fruit. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025 The key is refusing to engage in circular or baiting conversations, instead setting boundaries and exiting nonproductive conversations. — Angela Haupt, Time, 30 Oct. 2025 Course of trade in the oil industry often leaves the public on the hook for nonproductive well cleanup costs, including capping. — Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonproductive

Adjective

Still, Twain squandered his own fortune and Livy’s inheritance on developing Paige’s invention, even as the Mergenthaler Linotype became the industry standard, rendering Paige’s machine worthless.

— Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Bitcoin is either digital gold or worthless.

— Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Definition of worthless

Adjective

One of the companies, Hometown International, owned just one small, unprofitable deli in Paulsboro, New Jersey — Your Hometown Deli — which was run by Patten's friend, a high school wrestling coach, who has not been accused of wrongdoing.

— Dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Banks must hold more capital and allocate balances to high-quality liquid assets, lowering returns and, occasionally, making the business unprofitable.

— Gary Palmer, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of unprofitable

Adjective

Starmer, a stellar lawyer before entering politics in 2015, failed to inspire or articulate a convincing plan to revive a country held back by creaking, unreformed public infrastructure and an unproductive economy.

— Toby Helm, Time, 27 June 2026
Barriers to a meaningful life As digital natives, Gen Zers are aware of their attachment to screens, with more than half citing their unproductive use of technology as a significant barrier to developing a meaningful life.

— Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

Definition of unproductive

Adjective

Her 36-year-old NFL star boyfriend was also coming off another season playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, which ended with an unsuccessful campaign for a third consecutive Super Bowl ring.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 July 2026
However, the efforts were unsuccessful, according to the statement.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 4 July 2026

Definition of unsuccessful

Adjective

But trade theft cases in Silicon Valley are usually pointless and tragic because information finds a way out of companies anyway.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 11 July 2026
Less friction for good actors, less room for bad actors, and less pointless duplication for everyone else, all the while protecting platforms from data breaches and litigation.

— Raj Ananthanpillai, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Definition of pointless

Adjective

What remains that haven’t been scavenged have decomposed to the point where DNA analysis is difficult and all but useless in Gaza, where there are no functioning laboratories able to test and compare samples.

— Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Jennifer, for her part, is pretty sure that the information on Dennis’s burner phone is completely useless.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 8 July 2026

Definition of useless

Adjective

As children, Vi and Jinx lose their parents in an abortive revolution in Zaun, and years later find themselves on opposite sides of an unfolding power struggle between the two city-states.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 22 May 2026
Those forces have remained in the country, albeit now with more direct control from the Kremlin (after Wagner’s bombastic chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, led an abortive coup against Moscow and paid the ultimate price for it).

— Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 11 May 2026

Definition of abortive

Adjective

On Saturday, Durant reaffirmed his stance that the question of his and other superstars’ effort was an unavailing narrative to explore every February.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The position advanced by the states is legally unavailing as a matter of longstanding and well-established law.

— WSJ, WSJ, 25 July 2018

Definition of unavailing

Browse Nearby Words

nonproblems

nonproductive

nonprofessional

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“Nonproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonproductive. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of nonproductive

adjective

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