Showing results for counterproductive. Search instead for counter-productive.

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.

They highlight that restrictive zoning is largely to blame for underproduction relative to job growth and concur that rent control is counterproductive as it discourages the addition of supply, even with strong demand.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

StepChange said this was counterproductive, scaring people who can't, rather than won't, pay.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Most of the dozens of organisations and authorities consulted on the proposal -- including the prison administration -- were against the measure that many consider counterproductive.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

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

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

Indeed, his impassioned rhetoric, while doubtless sincere, was both misguided and counterproductive.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

counterproductive

Example Sentences

Related Words