1
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
2
as in unsuccessful
producing no results
her attempts to write a novel have been unproductive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unproductive
Alex Freeland endured an unproductive spring but still made his first-ever Opening Day roster and has found a sounding board in Betts, the 2018 American League MVP.
—
Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
After an unproductive call with Caroline's belligerent husband (Ronald Bronstein), Linda gives the child to the police.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
But the tone, substance, and other conclusions that characterize the piece are irresponsible, and unproductive.
—Neil Chilson, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Tens of thousands of unproductive and unplugged oil wells have been abandoned across California — many of which continue to leak potentially explosive methane or toxic benzene.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unproductive
Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
After an unproductive call with Caroline's belligerent husband (Ronald Bronstein), Linda gives the child to the police.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
But the tone, substance, and other conclusions that characterize the piece are irresponsible, and unproductive.
—Neil Chilson, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Tens of thousands of unproductive and unplugged oil wells have been abandoned across California — many of which continue to leak potentially explosive methane or toxic benzene.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unproductive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unproductive
Adjective
-
It cannot be maintained in such barren ground.—
David B Mcgarry,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Haggerty noted what the Artemis crew saw on the moon’s surface, including steep canyon walls and barren wasteland.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Efforts by Knight's attorneys to appeal the case have so far been unsuccessful.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Harry launched an unsuccessful bid for City Council in 2010.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For myself, having a Wrangler is the perfect vehicle to just drive these desolate roads.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Eastern New Mexico — dry, desolate — looks and feels very much like an appendage of West Texas.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That doesn’t mean future rounds, perhaps already starting this week, are futile.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
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The houses of worship bill, which Speaker Julie Menin strongly advocated for, passed with a veto-proof majority, so pursuing a veto would likely be futile.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Marriott’s report was the first time a British aid charity had documented how taxpayers’ money was funding a business accused of detaining impoverished African patients.—
Hettie O'Brien,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Sickert is showcased here for both his impressionistic instincts and his portrayal of previously taboo art subjects such as prostitutes and the impoverished.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Social services are borderline useless.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
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Still, old soil isn’t exactly useless.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Braves couldn’t overcome a poor start from Reynaldo López and saw their six-game winning streak fall by the wayside in an 11-4 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday at Nationals Park.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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In the days leading up to his fatal overdose, Prince was in poor health and was forced to cancel shows in Atlanta.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Its 2020 anti-waste law requires unsold nonfood goods to be reused, donated or recycled instead of destroyed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unproductive. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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