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counterproductive — having the opposite of the desired effect; tending to hinder rather than serve one's purpose

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: having the opposite of the desired effect; tending to hinder rather than serve one's purpose

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌkaʊntərprəˈdʌktɪv/

Example Sentences

  • His constant complaining about the noise became counterproductive when neighbors started playing music even louder.
  • Studying 12 hours a day without breaks is counterproductive to learning.
  • The company's attempt to save money by firing experienced workers proved counterproductive.

counterproductive

ADJECTIVE

[/ˌkaʊntərprəˈdʌktɪv/]

having the opposite of the desired effect; tending to hinder rather than serve one's purpose

He smashed the tiny leak with a giant hammer, but it was counterproductive and caused a massive flood.
💡 Concept

He smashed the tiny leak with a giant hammer, but it was counterproductive and caused a massive flood.

COUNTER(opposite) + PRODUCTIVE(producing) — aggressively mopping the floor while wearing muddy boots was a highly counterproductive way to clean.
🧠 Mnemonic

COUNTER(opposite) + PRODUCTIVE(producing) — aggressively mopping the floor while wearing muddy boots was a highly counterproductive way to clean.

Using a highly destructive dynamite to catch a tiny fly was completely counterproductive.
🎵 Rhyme

Using a highly destructive dynamite to catch a tiny fly was completely counterproductive.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌkaʊntərprəˈdʌktɪv/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌkaʊntəprəˈdʌktɪv/

🌳Etymology

Prefixcounter--
Rootproduct
Suffix--ive

Origin

From the prefix 'counter-' (meaning against or opposite) combined with 'productive' (from Latin 'productivus', meaning capable of producing or effective). The word emerged in English in the 20th century to describe actions that achieve the opposite of their intended purpose.

Breakdown

counter- (against, opposite) + productive (from Latin 'producere': pro- (forward) + ducere (to lead/bring)) + -ive (adjective suffix) = counterproductive (tending to hinder rather than help one's purpose)

🎵Rhyme

productivereproductivedestructive
productive
reproductive
destructive

🔗Collocations

counterproductive behavior
prove counterproductive
counterproductive approach
counterproductive effects
counterproductive measures
highly counterproductive

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“His constant complaining about the noise became counterproductive when neighbors started playing music even louder.”

“Studying 12 hours a day without breaks is counterproductive to learning.”

“The company's attempt to save money by firing experienced workers proved counterproductive.”

😄 Fun example

“Trying to clean the house while the kids are awake is completely counterproductive.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

ineffectiveharmfuldetrimentalself-defeatingunproductive

Antonyms

productivebeneficialeffective

Related

backfirehinderobstructimpede

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