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Definition of counterproductive

counterproductive

/ˌkaʊn.tɚ.prəˈdʌk.tɪv/
coun · ter · pro · duc · tive
Adverb:counterproductively
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counterproductive Lexical Profile

• adjective

1

Having the opposite of the desired effect, or hindering the achievement of an intended goal.

Example

"Skipping sleep to study all night is often counterproductive because fatigue impairs memory retention."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for counterproductive

• Rhymes for counterproductive

• Nearby Words

counterplan
counterpoint
counterpose
counterproductive
counterproductively
counterproductiveness
counterproposal

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century by combining the prefix 'counter-' (from Latin 'contra', meaning 'against') with 'productive' (from Latin 'producere', meaning 'to bring forth').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Counterproductive. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/counterproductive
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