Definitions

counterproductive

[koun-ter-pruh-duhk-tiv] / ˌkaʊn tər prəˈdʌk tɪv /

ADJECTIVE

counteractive

Synonyms

WEAK

checking counter to countering interfering opposite

ADJECTIVE

inutile

Synonyms

WEAK

abortive bootless disadvantageous dysfunctional expendable feckless fruitless futile good-for-nothing hopeless idle impracticable impractical incompetent ineffective ineffectual inept inoperative meaningless no good nonfunctional of no use pointless profitless purposeless scrap stupid unavailable unavailing unfunctional unproductive unprofitable unpurposed unusable unusuable unworkable vain valueless waste weak worthless

ADJECTIVE

no-account

Synonyms

STRONG

barren base empty good-for-nothing inferior nothing poor trifling waste

WEAK

abandoned abject bogus cheap contemptible despicable drossy futile ignoble inconsequential ineffective ineffectual insignificant inutile meaningless mediocre miserable no-good nugatory paltry pointless profitless sterile trashy trivial unavailing unessential unimportant unproductive unprofitable unusable useless valueless wretched

Antonyms

STRONG

fertile filled full productive sufficient superior useful

ADJECTIVE

no-good

Synonyms

WEAK

abandoned abject barren base bogus cheap contemptible despicable drossy empty futile good-for-nothing ignoble inconsequential ineffective ineffectual inferior insignificant inutile meaningless mediocre miserable no-account nothing nugatory paltry pointless poor profitless sterile trashy trifling trivial unavailing unessential unimportant unproductive unprofitable unusable useless valueless waste wretched

ADJECTIVE

prejudicial

Synonyms

STRONGEST

biased bigoted damaging detrimental disadvantageous discriminatory hurtful inimical injurious unfavorable unjust

WEAK

bad deleterious differential evil mischievous nocuous

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantageous aiding assisting beneficial fair favorable friendly good helpful impartial just kind nice unbiased unprejudiced

WEAK

approving

ADJECTIVE

unusable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

expendable futile idle impractical ineffective inoperative meaningless pointless unavailable unproductive unprofitable unworkable worthless

WEAK

abortive bootless disadvantageous dysfunctional feckless fruitless good-for-nothing hopeless impracticable incompetent ineffectual inept inutile no good nonfunctional of no use profitless purposeless scrap stupid unavailing unfunctional unpurposed unusuable vain valueless waste weak

Antonyms

STRONGEST

beneficial effective fruitful important meaningful productive profitable sensible useful valuable worthwhile

ADJECTIVE

useless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fruitless futile hopeless idle impractical incompetent ineffective ineffectual inoperative meaningless no good pointless stupid unproductive unworkable worthless

WEAK

abortive bootless disadvantageous dysfunctional expendable feckless good-for-nothing impracticable inept inutile nonfunctional of no use profitless purposeless scrap unavailable unavailing unfunctional unprofitable unpurposed unusuable vain valueless waste weak

Antonyms

STRONGEST

effective fruitful hopeful meaningful productive profitable sensible useful valuable worthwhile

WEAK

helpful usable working

ADJECTIVE

worthless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barren bogus futile inconsequential ineffective insignificant meaningless mediocre pointless unimportant unproductive unprofitable unusable useless

WEAK

abandoned abject base cheap contemptible despicable empty good-for-nothing ignoble ineffectual inferior inutile miserable no-account no-good nothing nugatory paltry poor profitless sterile trashy trifling trivial unavailing unessential valueless waste wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

beneficial fruitful helpful important meaningful productive profitable significant useful valuable worthwhile

WEAK

worthy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Only four people have gone to prison for failing to pay council tax since 2020, it said, so highlighting the sanction was counterproductive when writing to those who had not been able to pay.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

But others say higher oil prices are likely to crunch consumer spending, making higher rates counterproductive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

The result, even by strictly military measures, is counterproductive.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

When a character isn’t what they seem, making the false front too emotionally relatable is counterproductive; the viewer, using myself as an example, will feel cheated, annoyed.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2026

Although colorblind approaches to addressing the problems of poor people of color often seem pragmatic in the short run, in the long run they are counterproductive.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

counterproductive

Example Sentences

Related Words