1
as in creative
having a role in deciding something's final form
contributed several productive ideas to the project
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prolific
producing abundantly
overfishing has depleted the stock of fish in these waters, which were once so productive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in efficient
producing or capable of producing a desired result
panicking during a crisis is not productive behavior
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of productive
Here are a few of the Day 2 or Day 3 prospects who could become productive players in the league.
—
Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
There are better, more productive ways for lawmakers to spend their time.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
The governor has been sparring with unions since last spring, saying some agencies could be more productive if more workers returned to the office.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
In other words, the broader economic effects of AI depend not only on how sophisticated the tools are but on whether companies and managers create environments where workers can experiment, reorganize tasks and integrate new tools into productive routines.
—Christos Makridis, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for productive
Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
There are better, more productive ways for lawmakers to spend their time.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
The governor has been sparring with unions since last spring, saying some agencies could be more productive if more workers returned to the office.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026
In other words, the broader economic effects of AI depend not only on how sophisticated the tools are but on whether companies and managers create environments where workers can experiment, reorganize tasks and integrate new tools into productive routines.
—Christos Makridis, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for productive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for productive
Adjective
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Some are creative directors, CEOs, HR and finance personnel.—
Chris Wragge,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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That burden, along with the conventions of the true-crime genre, not to mention that of theater in service of a political point, sometimes hampers the interpretive space of the actors and the creative team, who have to spend a lot of their time getting the facts and the history across.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Mavericks led 45-34 after their highest-scoring quarter of the season in the first and 80-56 following their most prolific half of the season.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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So what’s driving butter’s prolific resurgence, then?—
Elliott Harrell,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Vehicles are more fuel efficient these days, and the country’s reliance on natural gas — which remains far cheaper domestically than abroad — provides a key advantage in keeping inflation relatively more tame.—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
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Utilities retired costly old plants in droves, replacing them with more efficient natural gas and renewables.—
Matthew Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The meeting centered on whether there could be a way forward for the two entities to work together, said O’Leary, who described the discussion as productive and constructive.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
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Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the talks had been constructive.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That’s probably why class-crossed lovers make such fertile ground for fiction—look at Heathcliff and Cathy, or poor Scudder and Maurice.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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Comfort spreads as the fertile Moon blesses your home zone and sextiles therapeutic Chiron in your 6th House of Sustainability.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Fortunately, there are a number of effective methods for controlling them.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
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Laursen told the Sun Sentinel that computerized educational materials can be effective for older children.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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When the season ends, so, too, does their romance; the couple do not reunite until seven years later, when Laure is at loose ends and Erica is married to a rich man and planning to have children.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Under a clear dark sky at Nestldown, representatives of the Los Gatos business community shone like unique stars in tailored suits and dresses of rich satin, tulle and lace.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Considering what Miles accomplished with Clara Silva at center, her partnership with Dominique Malonga should be incredibly fruitful.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2026
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If the novel concerned only these elements—the clash of cultures in a small town, the thrill of the landscape beyond it—readers would still turn the last page with a fruitful, even nourishing, sense of disorientation.—
Stephanie Burt,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Productive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/productive. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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