Counterproductive: meaning, definitions and examples

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counterproductive

[ ˌkaʊntərprəˈdʌktɪv ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

workplace environment

Having the opposite of the desired effect, tending to hinder rather than achieve a goal

Synonyms

harmful, ineffective, unproductive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
counterproductive

Suitable for situations where an action or event has the opposite of the desired effect.

  • Introducing more rules can be counterproductive if they overwhelm the staff
  • Criticizing employees in public can be counterproductive and lower morale
ineffective

Appropriate for describing something that does not achieve the desired outcome or purpose.

  • The new marketing strategy was ineffective and didn’t increase sales
  • The medicine was ineffective at relieving her symptoms
unproductive

Best used to describe activities or efforts that do not produce significant results or outputs.

  • Spending hours on social media can be unproductive
  • The meeting was unproductive and didn't lead to any decisions
harmful

Used when an action or substance causes physical, mental, or emotional harm. Usually has a negative connotation.

  • Smoking is harmful to your health
  • Negative comments can be harmful to a person's self-esteem

Examples of usage

  • His micromanaging style was counterproductive, leading to decreased productivity among team members.
  • Implementing strict rules without explanation can be counterproductive, as it may result in resentment and lack of motivation.
Context #2 | Adjective

behavior

Causing more harm than good, having a negative impact on progress or success

Synonyms

deleterious, detrimental, unfavorable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
counterproductive

Applicable when something has the opposite effect from what was intended, especially when trying to achieve a goal but instead causing setbacks.

  • Skipping meals to lose weight is counterproductive, as it slows down your metabolism.
  • Micromanaging employees is often counterproductive and can decrease their productivity.
detrimental

Most suitable for formal or semi-formal contexts when describing something that is harmful or damaging, especially in terms of long-term effects.

  • Prolonged exposure to the sun can be detrimental to your skin.
  • Poor sleeping habits are detrimental to mental and physical health.
deleterious

Used in more formal contexts to describe something that causes harm or damage, particularly to health or well-being.

  • Smoking has deleterious effects on overall health.
  • The pollution in the river has deleterious consequences for the local ecosystem.
unfavorable

Used when describing conditions or situations that are not beneficial or make it difficult to achieve desired outcomes.

  • The unfavorable weather conditions forced the cancellation of the event.
  • The company faced unfavorable market conditions, leading to a decline in profits.

Examples of usage

  • His constant procrastination was counterproductive, as it prevented him from reaching his full potential.
  • Engaging in arguments instead of seeking compromise can be counterproductive in resolving conflicts.

Translations

Translations of the word "counterproductive" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contraproducente

🇮🇳 उल्टा असर करनेवाला

🇩🇪 kontraproduktiv

🇮🇩 kontraproduktif

🇺🇦 контрпродуктивний

🇵🇱 kontrproduktywny

🇯🇵 逆効果的

🇫🇷 contre-productif

🇪🇸 contraproducente

🇹🇷 ters etki yapan

🇰🇷 역효과를 내는

🇸🇦 ذو تأثير عكسي

🇨🇿 kontraproduktivní

🇸🇰 kontraproduktívny

🇨🇳 适得其反的

🇸🇮 kontraproduktiven

🇮🇸 gagnslaus

🇰🇿 қайшы әсер ететін

🇬🇪 უკუქცევითი

🇦🇿 əks təsirli

🇲🇽 contraproducente

Etymology

The term 'counterproductive' originated in the mid-20th century, combining the words 'counter' and 'productive' to convey the idea of working against productivity. It gained popularity in organizational psychology and management studies to describe actions or behaviors that hinder rather than enhance productivity and progress.

See also: produce, producer, producing, productive, reproduce, reproducer, reproducibility, reproduction.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,425, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.