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 III
W. E. Brock IIIExamples 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
The idea of ever getting comfortable or confident is almost counterproductive.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 12 June 2026
Doing so while having to perform in games where the results are all that matter can be confounding and even counterproductive.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2026
But this framing is counterproductive.
—Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Further, framing trafficking as episodic and event-based can be counterproductive.
—Jennifer E. O'Brien, The Conversation, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
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Daniel D'addario, Variety, 12 June 2026
Doing so while having to perform in games where the results are all that matter can be confounding and even counterproductive.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2026
But this framing is counterproductive.
—Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Further, framing trafficking as episodic and event-based can be counterproductive.
—Jennifer E. O'Brien, The Conversation, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterproductive. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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