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
Some constitutional scholars still maintain that hair-on-fire rhetoric about the demise of the republic is counterproductive.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Peter Ricci, director of the hospitality and tourism management program at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business, predicted the measure, if passed would be counterproductive.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2025
However, the impacts on domestic costs and market dynamics could be counterproductive.
—Guy Courtin, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
The reporting ignored these types of facts, and the editorial board doubles down on this counterproductive approach, also getting simple things wrong.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
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Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Peter Ricci, director of the hospitality and tourism management program at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business, predicted the measure, if passed would be counterproductive.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2025
However, the impacts on domestic costs and market dynamics could be counterproductive.
—Guy Courtin, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
The reporting ignored these types of facts, and the editorial board doubles down on this counterproductive approach, also getting simple things wrong.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 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 1 May. 2025.
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