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 1930Synonyms
Examples 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
President Biden has faced scrutiny for his decision as several Democrats on Capitol Hill have condemned the move as counterproductive to their party’s efforts toward rebuilding public trust in American institutions derided by President-elect Trump.
—Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
If the physical qubits are too failure-prone, error correction is counterproductive — adding more physical qubits will make the logical qubits worse, not better.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024
Google's market position emerged primarily through natural network effects and continuous innovation rather than anticompetitive mergers, making structural separation both impractical and potentially counterproductive.
—Roomy Khan, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Dismayed by tedious, mandatory and frequently counterproductive diversity, equity and inclusion seminars that treat white skin as almost inherently problematic?
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterproductive 
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Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
If the physical qubits are too failure-prone, error correction is counterproductive — adding more physical qubits will make the logical qubits worse, not better.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024
Google's market position emerged primarily through natural network effects and continuous innovation rather than anticompetitive mergers, making structural separation both impractical and potentially counterproductive.
—Roomy Khan, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Dismayed by tedious, mandatory and frequently counterproductive diversity, equity and inclusion seminars that treat white skin as almost inherently problematic?
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterproductive
Dictionary Entries Near counterproductive
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterproductive. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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