counterproductive
adjective
coun·ter·pro·duc·tive
ˌkau̇n-tər-prə-ˈdək-tiv 
: tending to hinder the attainment of a desired goal
violence as a means to achieve an end is counterproductive—
W. E. Brock born 1930
W. E. Brock born 1930Examples of counterproductive in a Sentence
His uncontrollable anger is very counterproductive to his attempt at saving his marriage.
harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive
Recent Examples on the Web
Both Lyman and Nordhaus say shrinking the NRC would be counterproductive.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 9 May 2025
But not entirely on how or who’s in charge
Harvard’s public refusal of Trump’s demands, Ackman asserted this week, was a counterproductive move that led to an unnecessary legal fight, as the university soon sued the government to restore its funding.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
Many Chinese and Russian goals are incompatible with our interests, and both countries will be counterproductive actors in the foreseeable future.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
The standard method of dealing with inflation—raising interest rates—is at best irrelevant and in many cases actively counterproductive.
—Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
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Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 9 May 2025
But not entirely on how or who’s in charge
Harvard’s public refusal of Trump’s demands, Ackman asserted this week, was a counterproductive move that led to an unnecessary legal fight, as the university soon sued the government to restore its funding.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
Many Chinese and Russian goals are incompatible with our interests, and both countries will be counterproductive actors in the foreseeable future.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
The standard method of dealing with inflation—raising interest rates—is at best irrelevant and in many cases actively counterproductive.
—Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterproductive. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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