Counterproductive

Having the opposite of the desired effect; actions or policies that hinder rather than help progress.

adjective

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Imagine This

Imagine a company implements a new efficiency policy that adds extra approvals for even simple tasks. The policy is supposed to speed things up, but the extra steps slow everyone down and actually reduce overall productivity.

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Sounds Like

KOWN-tər-prə-DUK-tiv

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Looks Like

counter- + productive; resembles the word 'productive' but with opposite meaning

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Remember This

Counterproductive describes actions that backfire. The prefix 'counter-' means against or opposite, and it appears frequently in business, policy, and psychology contexts.

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Other Forms

counterproductivitynoun

counterproductivenessnoun

counterproductivelyadverb

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Connect With

productive; detrimental; hindering; backfire; undermine; ineffective

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Note

Commonly used with 'to' or 'for' (e.g., counterproductive to progress, counterproductive for morale). Do not confuse with 'unproductive' (not producing results).

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Study Deeper

Examples

The new safety policy was counterproductive, increasing paperwork and delaying production.
Over-rehearsing the pitch proved counterproductive, making the speaker sound stiff and less persuasive.

Synonyms

detrimentalhinderingineffectiveundermininginhibiting

Antonyms

productivehelpfuleffective

Etymology

From counter- (against) + productive; first used in the 19th century to describe actions that counter or oppose productive efforts.

Mnemonic

COUNTERPRODUCTIVE = COUNTERS PRODUCTIVITY. Remember that it literally means an action that counters or opposes productive outcomes.