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 Word Forms

• counterproductively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterproductive¹

First recorded in 1960–65; counter- + productive

Example Sentences

Some economists warn that if ministers reduced that kind of spending and borrowing out of concern over the national debt it could prove counterproductive and ultimately damaging to younger people.

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A blanket ban on all kratom products, however, is counterproductive, he said.

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Critics said the move was politicized and counterproductive and fear future program cuts.

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Last week he was compelled to roll back duties on more than 200 agricultural products, including coffee and beef, because they were proving counterproductive.

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Many of the Administration’s actions such as investigating meat packers are counterproductive.

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Related Words

• fruitless 
• futile 
• hopeless 
• idle 
• impractical 
• incompetent 
• ineffective 
• ineffectual 
• inoperative 
• meaningless 
• pointless 
• stupid 
• unproductive 
• unworkable 
• worthless