NONPRODUCTIVE Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

nonproductive

adjective

Definition of nonproductive

as in worthless

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of nonproductive North Dakota adopted a bill last year requiring a legislative council to study the feasibility of using nonproductive wells to generate geothermal power. — Maria Gallucci, Wired News, 16 May 2026 Returning nonproductive properties to the tax rolls, creating jobs and boosting the quality of life are only some of the benefits of redeveloping troubled properties. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026 Pruning also thins nonproductive stems, allowing light to reach the interior of the tree and ripen the fruit. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025 The key is refusing to engage in circular or baiting conversations, instead setting boundaries and exiting nonproductive conversations. — Angela Haupt, Time, 30 Oct. 2025 Course of trade in the oil industry often leaves the public on the hook for nonproductive well cleanup costs, including capping. — Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonproductive

Adjective

The referee’s visual countdown may prove worthless if the player trotting off has his back to the official, which will invariably be the case.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
And since Jace’s death, she’s treated Baela as nothing more than a defective surveillance drone — a worthless piece of tech that never spots Vhagar.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of worthless

Adjective

Ranching is still difficult and often unprofitable work, especially for family operations.

— Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Cramer said Establishment Labs remains unprofitable eight years after going public, and its most recent quarterly loss was larger than Wall Street expected.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of unprofitable

Adjective

After a brief, unproductive stint with the San Diego Padres, Castellanos has now embraced a new chapter in baseball.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
But if instead its excess savings finance unproductive investment at home or drive high household consumption, asset bubbles, or persistent fiscal deficits in the economies of its trading partners, the whole system becomes increasingly shaky.

— MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of unproductive

Adjective

That ability to learn may ultimately separate successful defenders from unsuccessful ones.

— Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
The five unsuccessful trials shared a condition of the test rig rather than indicating a failure of the recovery logic.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsuccessful

Adjective

Primus could easily have been a blip, one of many abortive major label risks in a decade when the industry was swimming in cash.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
As children, Vi and Jinx lose their parents in an abortive revolution in Zaun, and years later find themselves on opposite sides of an unfolding power struggle between the two city-states.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 22 May 2026

Definition of abortive

Adjective

On Saturday, Durant reaffirmed his stance that the question of his and other superstars’ effort was an unavailing narrative to explore every February.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The position advanced by the states is legally unavailing as a matter of longstanding and well-established law.

— WSJ, WSJ, 25 July 2018

Definition of unavailing

Browse Nearby Words

nonproblems

nonproductive

nonprofessional

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“Nonproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonproductive. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of nonproductive

adjective

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