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
In fact, several examples indicate that using generative AI professionally may, in some cases, be counterproductive, or banned, in real work environments.
—Derek Newton, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Advocates, meanwhile, have assailed the measure as cruel and counterproductive.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Much of the traditional oppositional playbook has, in the dawning Second Age of Trump, come to seem ineffective, pointless, even counterproductive.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
But this may have been counterproductive, at least for the penguin colonies.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
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Derek Newton, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Advocates, meanwhile, have assailed the measure as cruel and counterproductive.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Much of the traditional oppositional playbook has, in the dawning Second Age of Trump, come to seem ineffective, pointless, even counterproductive.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
But this may have been counterproductive, at least for the penguin colonies.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 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 Mar. 2025.
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