SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
counterproductive
adjective
Having an effect that works against the intended goal.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Working against the goal
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topUnproductive means producing little; counterproductive means making the intended goal harder to reach.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See counterproductive in use
Sending repeated reminders became counterproductive when readers stopped opening them.
A plan to add several pages of tiny instructions was counterproductive when testers overlooked the essential first step while searching the dense text.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license