unproductive

adjective

un·​pro·​duc·​tive ˌən-prə-ˈdək-tiv How to pronounce unproductive (audio)
-prō-
: not effective in bringing something about : not yielding results, benefits, or profits : not productive
unproductive meetings
unproductive strategies
unproductive workers

Examples of unproductive in a Sentence

crop rotation had prevented the farmland from becoming unproductive her attempts to write a novel have been unproductive
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This highlights that unstructured venting can quickly pull conversations into unproductive loops. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 Here's a detailed timeline of events, which shows the White House was aware of the pause in real time and Trump's decision to reverse the action -- following an unproductive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a subsequent series of brutal Russian assaults on Ukraine. Justin Fishel, ABC News, 9 July 2025 Now, more than ever, the interactions—sometimes bordering on unproductive conflict—between different generations, shaped by different educations, study paths and historical contexts, risk becoming a missed opportunity. Davide Sartini, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 An unproductive offense has been the biggest drag on the Padres’ attempts to challenge the Dodgers in the division over the past month. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unproductive

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unproductive was circa 1676

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Cite this Entry

“Unproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unproductive. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

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