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 1930Synonyms
Examples 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
Hiep, meanwhile, suggests Lan’s death sentence may well be counterproductive and overturned on appeal.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
The resulting over-emphasis on generative AI is counterproductive, leading to the compartmentalizing of AI talent and resources.
—David Zuluaga Martínez, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
More time spent in virtual meetings also tended to reduce the time employees spent engaging in what the academics referred to as counterproductive behavior, like procrastination.
—Josie Cox, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Does this mean that content moderation is always counterproductive?
—Scott Duke Kominers, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2024
But his compulsive need to look like a strong leader surrounded by weak generals and ministers encourages his counterproductive grandstanding.
—Ehud Barak, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2024
Other Democrats, including military veterans who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, have cited that experience and questioned Israel’s tactics, arguing that heavy bombardment and steep civilian casualties are counterproductive methods that threaten to provide more fuel to extremists.
—Carol E. Lee, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024
Jason Hall, director of Catholic Conference of Kentucky, said using law enforcement and the criminal justice system to address people experiencing homelessness is counterproductive.
—Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 18 Jan. 2024
And hiring experts warn that companies using laborious assignments and hardball tactics in recruitment could be counterproductive, by deterring strong candidates and adding new biases to the process.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024
Charlie Campbell, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
The resulting over-emphasis on generative AI is counterproductive, leading to the compartmentalizing of AI talent and resources.
—David Zuluaga Martínez, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
More time spent in virtual meetings also tended to reduce the time employees spent engaging in what the academics referred to as counterproductive behavior, like procrastination.
—Josie Cox, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Does this mean that content moderation is always counterproductive?
—Scott Duke Kominers, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2024
But his compulsive need to look like a strong leader surrounded by weak generals and ministers encourages his counterproductive grandstanding.
—Ehud Barak, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2024
Other Democrats, including military veterans who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, have cited that experience and questioned Israel’s tactics, arguing that heavy bombardment and steep civilian casualties are counterproductive methods that threaten to provide more fuel to extremists.
—Carol E. Lee, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024
Jason Hall, director of Catholic Conference of Kentucky, said using law enforcement and the criminal justice system to address people experiencing homelessness is counterproductive.
—Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 18 Jan. 2024
And hiring experts warn that companies using laborious assignments and hardball tactics in recruitment could be counterproductive, by deterring strong candidates and adding new biases to the process.
—Lauren Goode, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'counterproductive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterproductive. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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