counterproductive

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Word: Counterproductive
Part of Speech: Adjective

Simple Explanation:

The word "counterproductive" describes something that actually makes it harder to reach a goal or achieve what you want. Instead of helping, it ends up causing problems.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "counterproductive" when you want to talk about actions, behaviors, or strategies that are not effective and may even cause the opposite of what you intend.

Example:

• "Studying too much without breaks can be counterproductive because you might get very tired and forget what you learned."

Advanced Usage:

In more complex discussions, "counterproductive" can be applied to various contexts, such as business strategies, personal goals, or social behaviors. For instance: - "The new marketing strategy was counterproductive, as it confused customers instead of attracting them."

Word Variants:

• Counterproductively (adverb): This means doing something in a way that is counterproductive. Example: "They approached the problem counterproductively, making it worse rather than better."
• Counterproductiveness (noun): The quality of being counterproductive. Example: "The counterproductiveness of their efforts became clear after the project failed."

Different Meanings:

While "counterproductive" primarily refers to hindering progress towards a goal, it can also imply actions that create unnecessary complications or obstacles in any process.

Synonyms:

• Ineffective
• Detrimental
• Adverse
• Unhelpful

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that are synonymous with "counterproductive," but you might encounter phrases such as: - "Backfire" (to have an opposite effect than intended) Example: "His plan to impress his boss backfired, making him look unprepared."

Summary:

"Counterproductive" is a useful word for describing actions that do not help achieve a goal and might even make things worse.

Academic

Adjective

1. tending to hinder the achievement of a goal