unproductive

adjective

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

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 Even missing just a few hours of sleep can turn the most stable person into a grumpy, unproductive mess the next day. Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024 Because drivers spending a minute or two searching for a package can rack up hour of unproductive time. Gene Marks, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 Basically, Harris wants more of the same unfair, unproductive tax handouts. Veronique De Rugy, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2024 The merged company has proposed converting two old, unproductive oil fields in Kern County into California’s first carbon capture and storage sites. Nayamin Martinez, The Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unproductive 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unproductive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unproductive was circa 1676

Dictionary Entries Near unproductive

Cite this Entry

“Unproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unproductive. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on unproductive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!