Definition

1. Adjective: Tending to hinder or work against the achievement of a desired goal or outcome; producing effects opposite to those intended.

Usage

The adjective "counterproductive" is used to describe an action, policy, or behavior that, instead of helping to achieve a goal, actually makes it harder to achieve. It is typically used in formal or analytical contexts to critique strategies or methods.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to be counterproductive to something": This is a common collocation specifying the goal being hindered.
  • Micromanaging your employees is counterproductive to fostering innovation and independence.
• "prove/be deemed counterproductive": Used to state a judgment or conclusion about an action's effect.
  • The advertising campaign was deemed counterproductive because it offended the very customers it aimed to attract.

Variants and Related Words

• Counterproductively (adverb): In a way that hinders a goal.
  • He argued counterproductively, alienating the people he needed to convince.
• Counterproductiveness (noun): The quality of being counterproductive. (This form is less common).
  • The counterproductiveness of the policy became evident within months.

Synonyms

• Self-defeating: (Of an action) having the opposite effect to what is intended, often harming the person who does it.
• Ineffective: Not producing any or the desired effect.
• Backfiring: (Informal) having the opposite result of what was planned, especially with negative consequences.

Antonyms

• Productive: Achieving or producing a significant amount or result.
• Effective: Successful in producing a desired or intended result.
• Constructive: Serving a useful purpose; tending to build up.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Law of unintended consequences: A concept often associated with "counterproductive" outcomes, referring to actions that have unforeseen and adverse effects.
• To defeat its own purpose: An idiomatic phrase similar in meaning to "counterproductive."
  • A tax cut that reduces essential services may defeat its own purpose by harming the economy in the long term.

Adjective

1. tending to hinder the achievement of a goal