counterproductively
Working against oneself
In a way that works against the intended goal.
Something done counterproductively achieves the opposite of what was hoped for: The new efficiency measures counterproductively created more paperwork than before.
The word often highlights irony—effort expended that makes things worse rather than better.
In unproductive manner
- wastefullyWith unnecessary excess
- futilelyIn a fruitless manner
- uselesslyWithout achieving anything
- pointlesslyWithout meaningful result
fruitlessly · unproductively · needlessly · redundantly · squandering · dissipating · misspending · time-consuming
Yield unintended consequences
- boomerangSelf-returning thrown weapon
- reboundReturn after deflection
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- reversalComplete change of direction
setback · blowback · unintended consequences · self-defeating · ironic · paradoxically · wrong direction · misfire
Prevent success of
- impedeTo obstruct movement
- hamperObstruct or clothes basket
- obstructBlock or hinder passage
- undermineWeaken by stealth
sabotage · frustrate · derail · stymie · foil · disrupt · interfere · inhibit
Based on poor judgment
- ill-advisedShowing poor judgment
- shortsightedUnable to see ahead
- wrongheadedStubbornly holding mistaken views
- misplacedPut in wrong location
imprudent · foolishly · unwisely · recklessly · thoughtlessly · carelessly · hastily · rashly
inefficiently
In unproductive manner
- wastefullyWith unnecessary excess
- futilelyIn a fruitless manner
- uselesslyWithout achieving anything
pointlessly · fruitlessly · unproductively · needlessly · redundantly · squandering · dissipating · misspending · time-consuming · laborious
backfire
Yield unintended consequences
- boomerangSelf-returning thrown weapon
- reboundReturn after deflection
- recoilBackward force from discharge
reversal · setback · blowback · unintended consequences · self-defeating · ironic · paradoxically · wrong direction · misfire · adverse effect
thwart
Prevent success of
undermine · sabotage · frustrate · derail · stymie · foil · disrupt · interfere · inhibit · block
misguided
Based on poor judgment
- ill-advisedShowing poor judgment
- shortsightedUnable to see ahead
- wrongheadedStubbornly holding mistaken views
misplaced · imprudent · foolishly · unwisely · recklessly · thoughtlessly · carelessly · hastily · rashly · blindly
counterproductivelyproductively
With useful output
effectively · efficiently · successfully · fruitfully · constructively
counterproductivelyhelpfully
In an assisting manner
beneficially · constructively · usefully · supportively · positively