UNPRODUCTIVE Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

unproductive

adjective

ˌən-prə-ˈdək-tiv

Definition of unproductive

as in barren

producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation crop rotation had prevented the farmland from becoming unproductive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unsuccessful

producing no results her attempts to write a novel have been unproductive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 unproductive Analysts have warned that the structural remedies Bonta has in mind might be deal-breakers for Paramount, making any settlement talks ultimately unproductive. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 So many people who influence public opinion in the United States do so in a damaging and unproductive way because the problem of creeping authoritarianism doesn’t affect them personally. — Sarah Batcha, Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026 This will only lead to unproductive conflict − and, honestly, that's what a lot of narcissists want anyway. — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 The new class of legislators will inherit a body marked by a tense and often unproductive last few years, including budgetary delays and accusations of poor communication and transparency. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unproductive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unproductive

Adjective

Despite an aging roster, a barren farm system and a minus-38 run differential, the Astros remain in position for their 10th playoff berth in 12 years.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Without vegetation, a barren burn scar allows runoff to flow more quickly.

— Jamie Stengle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of barren

Adjective

The business hired attorneys to appeal the county’s assessment, Cerny said, but were unsuccessful.

— Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Alonso may have had an unsuccessful spell managing Real Madrid, but went unbeaten to win the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in his second season of senior management.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsuccessful

Adjective

Miller was one of four young women whose bodies were found between 1984 and 1991 in a rural field off a desolate dirt road in League City, located about 28 miles (45 kilometers) southeast of Houston.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
To understand what a transitive graph is, imagine the graph as a network of roads on a flat, desolate landscape.

— Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of desolate

Adjective

Requests for records from Princeton City Schools, Northwest Local Schools and Mason City Schools also largely proved futile.

— Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2026
In sick bay, M’Benga tries to remove the table and end his life so Chapel can give up on him, an effort that proves futile.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of futile

Adjective

But perhaps the most impressive thing the seemingly tireless Parton did during her 80 years was donate much of her wealth to impoverished communities.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
The loosened restrictions will not empower Washington to pursue investment and economic cooperation with al Sharaa’s government, which could transform the impoverished country.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of impoverished

Adjective

David Shnaiderov, who directs the Nuclear Quantum division at Quantum X Labs, pointed out that simulating particle transport is useless without a practical way to represent real physical shapes.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
However, this doesn’t mean the devices are completely useless.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of useless

Adjective

The following season, Chelsea topped their Champions League group, but poor Premier League form saw Mourinho sacked in mid-December.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Many are in poor shape, with thin, uninsulated walls, leaky windows, old or broken swamp coolers and electrical systems that can't always handle air conditioners.

— Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Recycling and anti-waste advocates counter that regulators weakened the law with exemptions and carve-outs that could undermine its environmental goals.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Shards of glass and ceramic, rusted metal, medical and bio-waste, syringes, cracked circuit boards, and broken electronics protruded everywhere.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026

Definition of waste

Browse Nearby Words

unprocessed

unproductive

unprofessional

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“Unproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unproductive. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unproductive

adjective

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