1 unproductive | Definition of unproductive

unproductive

adjective
unĀ·​proĀ·​ducĀ·​tive | \ ĖŒÉ™n-prə-Ėˆdək-tiv How to pronounce unproductive (audio) , -prō-\

Definition of unproductive

: not effective in bringing something about : not yielding results, benefits, or profits : not productive unproductive meetings unproductive strategies unproductive workers

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Examples of unproductive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Letā€™s celebrate the recovery of our eastern forests, which after two centuries of decimation have regrown to cloak hundreds of millions of acres of unproductive agricultural land. Bruce Beehler, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: Why doom and gloom wonā€™t help us fight climate change," 23 Aug. 2019 Afterward, the leaders said that negotiating in public was unproductive. Christopher Magan, Twin Cities, "Lawmakers say they want more transparency when deciding how to spend taxpayer money. Do they mean it?," 10 July 2019 The good news, when Edmonton finally unloaded the unproductive Penner on Los Angeles three-plus years later, the package included a first-round Kings pick that brought the Oilers top blue liner Oscar Klefbom. Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, "Bluesā€™ Stanley Cup blueprint: Donā€™t expect league to follow suit," 15 June 2019 One with an offense that was shockingly unproductive. Sam Blum | Sblum@al.com, al.com, "Omaha Bound: Auburn crushes UNC, in 1st College World Series since 1997," 10 June 2019 Much of Chinaā€™s economic growth in recent decades has come from moving hundreds of millions of relatively unproductive farm workers into cities. Edward Chancellor, WSJ, "ā€˜Red Flagsā€™ Review: Trade War and Other Troubles," 9 Dec. 2018 Musk also talked about unproductive contract workers on an earnings call with analysts last Wednesday. Russ Mitchell, latimes.com, "Musk urges 'barnacle' purge of Tesla contractors at struggling factory," 7 May 2018 Those who just retired might feel a bit unproductive. Sharon Jayson, USA TODAY, "Relevant at 64? Seniors need to stay active to be healthy and avert loneliness," 10 May 2018 Perhaps the unproductive acquisitions of last offseason could yield something for the future? Ryan Divish, The Seattle Times, "Analysis: What does Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto mean about a ā€˜step backā€™ in 2019?," 21 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unproductive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of unproductive

circa 1676, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for unproductive

unproductive

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of unproductive

: not giving good, steady, or useful results : not productive

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More from Merriam-Webster on unproductive

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with unproductive

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unproductive

Spanish Central: Translation of unproductive

Nglish: Translation of unproductive for Spanish Speakers