counterproductive

[ koun-ter-pruh-duhk-tiv ]

adjective

1. thwarting the achievement of an intended goal; tending to defeat one's purpose:

   Living on credit while trying to save money is counterproductive.

counterproductive

/ ˌkaʊntəprəˈdʌktɪv /

adjective

1. tending to hinder or act against the achievement of an aim

Other Words From

• counter·pro·ductive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterproductive¹

First recorded in 1960–65; counter- + productive

Example Sentences

In the closing days of this year's campaign 23 Nobel economists issued a letter calling Kamala Harris’ agenda “vastly superior to the counterproductive economic agenda of Donald Trump.”

From Salon

It also claims that “masks provide little to no benefit in preventing the spread of viruses and might even be counterproductive,” a statement that is unadulterated BS.

From Los Angeles Times

Prof Dunn said Coventry University was looking "really hard" at its finances and was concerned raising fees now could prove counterproductive.

From BBC

It might even have been counterproductive: As an editor, I regularly caution writers about the pitfalls of over-reporting, in which the proliferation of detail can cloud understanding as opposed to create it.

From Los Angeles Times

Some Mexican officials have said they don’t believe Trump will follow through with his tariff threats, which aren’t popular in the U.S. and seen as counterproductive for the American economy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fruitless
• futile
• hopeless
• idle
• impractical
• incompetent
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• inoperative
• meaningless
• no good
• pointless
• stupid
• unproductive
• unworkable
• worthless