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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 Those who do play with a single-hander, like Tsitsipas, Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti or Austria’s Lilli Tagger inspire a kind of fascination as to why anyone would go down a path that has become so unusual and supposedly counterproductive. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Hobart junior Miles White has learned to rein in his emotions, particularly when those can be counterproductive. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 While vitamin D is beneficial in older adults, taking higher doses (over 1000 IU) can be counterproductive and may be dangerous. — Emmanuella Ogbonna, HEALTH, 20 Aug. 2026 Getting diverted totally into something which is not true, counterproductive for the family. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for counterproductive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterproductive

Adjective

Attempts by The Associated Press to reach the other men or their representatives have been unsuccessful.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Other searches to find PBHs near and far, however, have so far been unsuccessful.

— Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsuccessful

Adjective

Leaky roofs, inefficient heating and deteriorating buildings — those are just a few of the improvements that need to be made within Lodi schools.

— Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Field agents endure inefficient routing and prolonged idle times between assignments, and passengers experience frustrating delays at gates or baggage claims.

— Justin Newell, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of inefficient

Adjective

What readers are saying The comments overwhelmingly criticize the death penalty, describing it as barbaric, cruel, and ineffective.

— Mark Berman, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
These components ensure the right data reaches the model at the right time with the right context, eliminating delays, fragmentation and blind spots that make even strong models ineffective.

— Harsh Verma, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of ineffective

Browse Nearby Words

counterpoising

counterproductive

counterproposal

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterproductive. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of counterproductive

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes