unproductive

adjective

un·​pro·​duc·​tive ˌən-prə-ˈdək-tiv 

-prō-

: not effective in bringing something about : not yielding results, benefits, or profits : not productive

unproductive meetings

unproductive strategies

unproductive workers

Synonyms

• barren
• bony
• boney
• dead
• desolate
• hardscrabble
• impoverished
• infertile
• poor
• stark
• unfertile
• waste

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

Small, consistent progress is better than burning yourself out with long, unproductive stretches. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Crucial tools, especially for galvanizing private capital, have remained untapped in a historically unproductive Congress. —Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024

The offense, in particular, needs to pick itself back up after two uninspired and unproductive efforts in losses to the Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2024

A couple of unproductive loans followed, before a move to Corinthians in 2021. —Nick Miller, The Athletic, 28 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above