productive

adjective

prə-ˈdək-tiv How to pronounce productive (audio)
Definition of productivenext
1
as in creative
having a role in deciding something's final form contributed several productive ideas to the project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prolific
producing abundantly overfishing has depleted the stock of fish in these waters, which were once so productive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in efficient
producing or capable of producing a desired result panicking during a crisis is not productive behavior

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of productive Still, not every activity that appears productive or beneficial necessarily helps people recover. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 Lee is one of the most productive receivers in the country, coming into this game ranked ninth in FBS in yards. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026 Leading the charge is junior running back Chris Johnson, who has been one of the most productive athletes in the Fort Worth-area. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 Harvey has been the more productive player so far this season, but much of that has come through the passing game. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for productive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for productive
  1. creative
  2. prolific
  3. efficient
  4. constructive
  5. fertile
  6. effective
  7. rich
  8. fruitful
Adjective
  • The creative team is currently developing the treatment and preparing to engage potential partners about the longer version.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The Fairchilds said Jeffrey, who would be 57 in December, was intelligent, well-read and had a great sense of humor, with a passion for creative writing.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of creative
Adjective
  • On his first new music since getting sober, the prolific 30-year-old singer-songwriter offers a sense of adult clarity—and some welcome self-editing.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Richard Riehle, a prolific character actor best known for memorable turns in Office Space, Bridesmaids, Glory, and Casino, has died, Variety reports.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of prolific
Adjective
  • Authorities in both countries were investigating the cyber incidents, which exposed vulnerabilities in some older refrigeration management systems and in the countries' highly efficient food supply chains.
    — JOHN LEICESTER, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Its security relies on the belief that there’s no efficient algorithm capable of reversing the mathematical operations at its core.
    — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of efficient
Adjective
  • The United States needs to revive its powers of attraction and treat its neighbors with respect to restore and expand a constructive continental partnership.
    — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The hope for all in the paddock will be for constructive efforts to ensure any similar events are prevented in the future.
    — Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of constructive
Adjective
  • The World Health Organization says its comparison numbers used to interpret the results should not be treated as an absolute line separating fertile from infertile men.
    — Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • For the first time, researchers managed to turn cloned male mouse embryos into females, giving life to healthy and fertile animals.
    — Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of fertile
Adjective
  • Forty-three percent of US adults say the federal government is effective at bettering people’s lives, down from 51% in 2025, according to a new Bentley University-Gallup survey.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Their usefulness will depend on reliable navigation, robust fault responses and effective coordination between onboard systems.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of effective
Adjective
  • Ocean iron fertilization grew from the idea that iron-rich dust blown across the oceans during past ice ages fed blooms of phytoplankton, helping to lower atmospheric CO₂.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • That opened the door to a rich landscape of DIY VR development, complete with software tools and hardware advice on how to get started.
    — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of rich
Adjective
  • This deal also indirectly led to the next move on the list, which proved much more fruitful.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • During the early 1930s, Anderson spent several fruitful years training in London and Berlin.
    — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of fruitful

Browse Nearby Words

productions
productive
productiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Productive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/productive. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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