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

Just discerning what worries are irrational and unproductive can be a great start in reducing them. —Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 1 May 2025

In many organizations, there’s an unspoken perception that time spent chatting—especially in remote settings—equates to being unproductive. —Toyna Chin, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

What disheartens us is that these opportunities for genuine discourse are being hijacked by extremists and people whose behavior is disruptive and unproductive. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025

But even with just interests payments being required, business owners have found themselves in default, leaving banks with a record number of unproductive loans. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unproductive

• deconstructive
• nondestructive
• nonproductive
• reconstructive
• reproductive
• abductive
• conductive
• constructive
• deductive
• destructive
• inductive
• instructive