counterproductive
gb/kˈaʊntɚpɹədˌʌktɪv/ us/kˈaʊntɚpɹədˌʌktɪv/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
having the opposite effect
It causes the opposite result and makes things worse.
Usage pattern:
It is counterproductive to [do something].
Common mistake:
Learners may think it only means 'not productive' in a work sense; more often it means 'works against your goal'.
Synonyms
self-defeating (Emphasizes that the action harms your own aims.)
|
backfiring (Highlights an unexpected opposite result.)
|
harmful (More general; may not imply opposite effect.)
Antonyms
effective (Produces the desired result.)
|
helpful (Supports progress without implying strong success.)
|
productive (Leads to useful progress or results.)
Collocations
counterproductive to do something
|counterproductive behavior
|counterproductive approach
|counterproductive measures
|counterproductive strategy
|counterproductive policy
|counterproductive decision
|counterproductive argument
|counterproductive response
|highly counterproductive
Themes
daily_life
|work
|communication
|problem_solving
Examples
- Yelling at the team is counterproductive; it just makes people shut down.
- Trying to rush the process now would be counterproductive and could create more mistakes.
- Publicly criticizing her was counterproductive and damaged the working relationship.
Learner examples
- It is counterproductive to blame people.
- This rule is counterproductive.
adjective
business
B2
property
2
reducing efficiency or output
It makes work slower or less successful.
Usage pattern:
[something] is counterproductive for [someone/a goal].
Common mistake:
Do not use it to mean simply 'unproductive' (doing nothing); counterproductive suggests it actively makes results worse.
Synonyms
inefficient (Focuses on waste of time/effort, not necessarily opposite results.)
|
unhelpful (Weaker; may not imply reduced output.)
Antonyms
efficient (Achieves results with minimal waste.)
|
streamlined (Designed to reduce steps and improve output.)
Collocations
counterproductive meeting
|counterproductive bureaucracy
|counterproductive overtime
|counterproductive workload
|counterproductive rules
|counterproductive incentives
|counterproductive training
|counterproductive workflow
|counterproductive reporting requirements
|ultimately counterproductive
Themes
work
|business
|education
Examples
- Adding more approval steps is counterproductive and slows everything down.
- The constant notifications are counterproductive when you’re trying to focus.
- Working late every night can be counterproductive if it leads to burnout.
Learner examples
- Too many meetings are counterproductive.
- This system is counterproductive.
Grammar
Dictionary form
counterproductive
IPA
GB/kˈaʊntɚpɹədˌʌktɪv/
US/kˈaʊntɚpɹədˌʌktɪv/
Syllables & stress
coun - ter - pro - duct - ive (5 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (coun)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: counterproductive
Word family
Core family
Related words
producer
noun B1
productively
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unproductive
adjective
counterproductively
adverb C1
Expressions
be counterproductive
1/bˈi kˈaʊntɚpɹədˌʌktɪv/
fixed phrase
have a harmful opposite effect
It does not help and may make things worse.
Examples
- If we rush this decision, it will be counterproductive.
- More pressure at this point is likely to be counterproductive.
- The new rule is counterproductive because it discourages reporting problems.
counterproductive work behavior
1/kˈaʊntɚpɹədˌʌktɪv wˈɚk bɪhˈeɪvjɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
actions that harm an organization
Bad behavior at work that hurts the company or coworkers.
Examples
- The study measured counterproductive work behavior such as time theft and bullying.
- Managers are trained to recognize early signs of counterproductive work behavior.
- High stress can increase the risk of counterproductive work behavior in some teams.
it is counterproductive to [do something]
1/ˈɪt ˈɪz kˈaʊntɚpɹədˌʌktɪv tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
not a good way to achieve
We say this when an action will make the result worse.
Examples
- It is counterproductive to punish everyone for one person’s mistake.
- It’s counterproductive to skip breaks if you end up making more errors.
- It would be counterproductive to change the plan at the last minute.
prove counterproductive
1/pɹˈuv kˈaʊntɚpɹədˌʌktɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
turn out to have bad effect
Later, we learn it was a bad idea.
Examples
- The crackdown proved counterproductive and increased public anger.
- The advertising campaign proved counterproductive when it offended customers.
- Their attempt to cut costs proved counterproductive because quality dropped.