as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive
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Recent Examples of counterproductive
Both Lyman and Nordhaus say shrinking the NRC would be counterproductive.
—
Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 9 May 2025
But not entirely on how or who’s in charge
Harvard’s public refusal of Trump’s demands, Ackman asserted this week, was a counterproductive move that led to an unnecessary legal fight, as the university soon sued the government to restore its funding.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
Many Chinese and Russian goals are incompatible with our interests, and both countries will be counterproductive actors in the foreseeable future.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
The standard method of dealing with inflation—raising interest rates—is at best irrelevant and in many cases actively counterproductive.
—Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 9 May 2025
But not entirely on how or who’s in charge
Harvard’s public refusal of Trump’s demands, Ackman asserted this week, was a counterproductive move that led to an unnecessary legal fight, as the university soon sued the government to restore its funding.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
Many Chinese and Russian goals are incompatible with our interests, and both countries will be counterproductive actors in the foreseeable future.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
The standard method of dealing with inflation—raising interest rates—is at best irrelevant and in many cases actively counterproductive.
—Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for counterproductive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterproductive
Adjective
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Officials said he was found semiconscious on the River Trail on June 30 but resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
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Efforts to refloat the ship during high tide on Thursday were unsuccessful.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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But banking on state governments to match the resources of the federal government—cash, expertise, largess—is an inefficient use of funds, as states in most cases have to stay in the black and cannot use debt for operations like a from-the-ground-up rebuild.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
29 May 2025
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Flood irrigation is still used in some places, and continues to be proven inefficient when compared with modern techniques.—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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At least for now, the biggest differentiator between effective and ineffective use of AI for marketing strategy or content production is the human in the driver’s seat.—
Andrew Allen,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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Appealing a death sentence Ritchie’s attorneys have fought the death sentence, arguing his legal counsel at trial was ineffective because his lawyers failed to fully investigate and present evidence on his fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and childhood lead exposure.—
Sophia Tareen,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterproductive. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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