COUNTERPRODUCTIVE Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

counterproductive

adjective

ˌkau̇n-tər-prə-ˈdək-tiv

Definition of counterproductive

as in unsuccessful

not producing the desired result harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive

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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 counterproductive Effective strategies exist, and using alcohol or cannabis to sleep is counterproductive. — Joan M. Cook, Time, 31 July 2026 Some even warned that the ban could prove counterproductive for US robotics efforts to develop humanoid robots. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026 The media rights pooling provisions, which are intended to help women’s and Olympic sports, are seen as financially counterproductive for the SEC, which shared over $1 billion with its members in fiscal year 2025, and the Big Ten. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 July 2026 OpenAI’s rogue-agent incident showed how government intervention was counterproductive to cyberdefense. — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterproductive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterproductive

Adjective

Police said Reyes did not provide any form of identification, and attempts to identify him were unsuccessful.

— Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 23 Aug. 2026
Attempts by The Associated Press to determine who their defense attorneys were to request comment were unsuccessful.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsuccessful

Adjective

This conflation of fundraising with oversight leads to ineffective leadership, mission drift, and significant fiscal waste, including billions in turnover costs.

— Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The Los Angeles City Council has rescinded camping bans on a dozen locations in Hollywood, Echo Park and Silver Lake at the urging of the area’s council member, who called the bans ineffective in addressing homelessness.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of ineffective

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counterpoising

counterproductive

counterproposal

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“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterproductive. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of counterproductive

adjective

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