unproductive

adjective

un·​pro·​duc·​tive ˌən-prə-ˈdək-tiv How to pronounce unproductive (audio)
-prō-
Synonyms of unproductive
: not effective in bringing something about : not yielding results, benefits, or profits : not productive
unproductive meetings
unproductive strategies
unproductive workers

Synonyms of unproductive

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Examples of unproductive in a Sentence

crop rotation had prevented the farmland from becoming unproductive her attempts to write a novel have been unproductive
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Getting too high can be just as unproductive as getting too low. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Supporters say shifting unproductive cropland to clean energy will help California meet its 100% renewable power goal, while farm groups warn of losing valuable agricultural land. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 After a brief, unproductive stint with the San Diego Padres, Castellanos has now embraced a new chapter in baseball. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 But if instead its excess savings finance unproductive investment at home or drive high household consumption, asset bubbles, or persistent fiscal deficits in the economies of its trading partners, the whole system becomes increasingly shaky. — Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unproductive

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unproductive was circa 1676

Rhymes for unproductive

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Browse Nearby Words

unproduced
unproductive
unproductive consumption
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Cite this Entry

“Unproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unproductive. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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