as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
harsh disciplinary measures that prove to be counterproductive
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Recent Examples of counterproductive
Dismayed by tedious, mandatory and frequently counterproductive diversity, equity and inclusion seminars that treat white skin as almost inherently problematic?
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Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Analysts say his tariff threat and other actions could be counterproductive and upend current U.S.-Mexico cooperation on immigration.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Administrative bloat, ideological edicts, and a counterproductive pivot towards equity in all things educational have effectively handicapped public education.
—Wenyuan Wu, Orange County Register, 18 Nov. 2024
Punishments are counterproductive with cats, and are likely to make the situation worse.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterproductive 
Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Analysts say his tariff threat and other actions could be counterproductive and upend current U.S.-Mexico cooperation on immigration.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Administrative bloat, ideological edicts, and a counterproductive pivot towards equity in all things educational have effectively handicapped public education.
—Wenyuan Wu, Orange County Register, 18 Nov. 2024
Punishments are counterproductive with cats, and are likely to make the situation worse.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for counterproductive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterproductive
Adjective
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School’s Punishment of Black Student Suspended Over Hairstyle Doesn’t Violate the Law, Judge Rules Sawicki, who is representing the plaintiff, told the Dallas Morning News that efforts to settle the case out of court were unsuccessful, which led to the filing of the lawsuit.David Chiu, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
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An attempt to steal an ATM inside the store was unsuccessful.Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Create a Department of Government Efficiency Fund Regulatory bloat is not only costly for businesses but also for taxpayers who foot the bill for wasteful and inefficient agencies.James Broughel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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These reactions show generalized anger over the lack of control people have over their economic lives, exemplified specifically on how health care is provided and paid for in our nation and how that unjust and inefficient system has been allowed, if not openly fostered, by government policy.Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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But some experts are warning that this viral weight-loss trend is likely to be ineffective.Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK, theweek, 23 Dec. 2024
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Those advantages also have a downside: ramjets are entirely ineffective at low speeds and are often accompanied by turbojets to handle subsonic flight, where the airspeed isn't enough to feed air-hungry ramjet engines.New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near counterproductive
Cite this Entry
“Counterproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterproductive. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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