nonproductive
Not generating output
Nonproductive means not producing results, goods, or value.
Nonproductive time is wasted or idle.
A nonproductive meeting accomplishes nothing.
In economics, nonproductive labor doesn't directly create goods or wealth.
The word often carries implicit criticism—suggesting something or someone should be producing but isn't: The committee spent three nonproductive hours debating procedure.
Excessively proud or futile
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
- pointlessLacking any purpose
- uselessWithout practical value
- ineffectiveLacking power to achieve
unavailing · hopeless · unsuccessful · worthless · unrewarding · meaningless · abortive · bootless
Unable to produce offspring
- sterileFree from microorganisms
- unfruitfulFailing to produce results
- fallowUnplanted field recovering
- depletedSeverely reduced or emptied
exhausted · impotent · fruitless · lifeless · blighted · uncultivable · dormant · spent
Using resources carelessly
- uneconomicalNot worth the cost
- unprofitableProducing no financial gain
- suboptimalBelow the ideal standard
- time-wastingUnproductive use of hours
poorly managed · labor-intensive · diminishing returns · underperforming · loss-making · unsustainable · red ink · below capacity
Not currently functioning
- unoccupiedHaving no occupant
- dormantInactive but capable
- unusedNever put to purpose
- fallowUnplanted field recovering
stagnant · at rest · unemployed · not working · standing still · out of commission · mothballed · on hold
vain
Excessively proud or futile
ineffective · unavailing · hopeless · unsuccessful · worthless · unrewarding · meaningless · abortive · bootless · unfruitful
infertile
Unable to produce offspring
- sterileFree from microorganisms
- unfruitfulFailing to produce results
- fallowUnplanted field recovering
depleted · exhausted · impotent · fruitless · lifeless · blighted · uncultivable · dormant · spent · drained
wasteful
Using resources carelessly
- uneconomicalNot worth the cost
- unprofitableProducing no financial gain
- suboptimalBelow the ideal standard
poorly managed · time-wasting · labor-intensive · diminishing returns · underperforming · loss-making · unsustainable · red ink · below capacity
inactive
Not currently functioning
- unoccupiedHaving no occupant
- dormantInactive but capable
- unusedNever put to purpose
fallow · stagnant · at rest · unemployed · not working · standing still · out of commission · mothballed · on hold · underutilized
nonproductiveproductive
Generating useful output
generative · fruitful · prolific · fertile · fecund
nonproductiveproductive
Generating useful output
efficient · effective · useful · valuable · worthwhile