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
The underlying premise of the Norwegian method is that hero workouts that leave you crumpled by the side of the track are counterproductive.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 19 May 2025
But regulating for the sake of regulating is counterproductive, and the existing framework already goes way beyond policing fraud and consumer harms.
—Norbert Michel, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Some have even suggested the comments are counterproductive and could risk Trump coming off as insensitive at a time when consumer confidence is seemingly already at a five-year low.
—Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 10 May 2025
If the goal is to persuade others—or even simply to have a productive discussion—hyperbole is counterproductive.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
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.
Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 19 May 2025
But regulating for the sake of regulating is counterproductive, and the existing framework already goes way beyond policing fraud and consumer harms.
—Norbert Michel, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Some have even suggested the comments are counterproductive and could risk Trump coming off as insensitive at a time when consumer confidence is seemingly already at a five-year low.
—Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 10 May 2025
If the goal is to persuade others—or even simply to have a productive discussion—hyperbole is counterproductive.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 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 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share