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
Now, a new study may shed light on why consuming too much of the artificial sweetener sucralose could be counterproductive.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Fighting this foreign free riding is critically important -- but not all methods are equally effective, and some reforms under consideration may even be counterproductive.
—Tomas J. Philipson, National Review, 27 Mar. 2025
This is ridiculous and counterproductive — not to mention a mirror image of the regrettable intimidation tactics that the GOP denounced when used by Democrats.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Unfortunately, tariffs can be counterproductive when other countries retaliate with their own tariffs.
—Catherine Brock, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
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Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Fighting this foreign free riding is critically important -- but not all methods are equally effective, and some reforms under consideration may even be counterproductive.
—Tomas J. Philipson, National Review, 27 Mar. 2025
This is ridiculous and counterproductive — not to mention a mirror image of the regrettable intimidation tactics that the GOP denounced when used by Democrats.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Unfortunately, tariffs can be counterproductive when other countries retaliate with their own tariffs.
—Catherine Brock, Forbes, 18 Mar. 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 16 Apr. 2025.
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