1
as in barren
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
crop rotation had prevented the farmland from becoming unproductive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unsuccessful
producing no results
her attempts to write a novel have been unproductive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unproductive
Alex Freeland endured an unproductive spring but still made his first-ever Opening Day roster and has found a sounding board in Betts, the 2018 American League MVP.
—
Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
After an unproductive call with Caroline's belligerent husband (Ronald Bronstein), Linda gives the child to the police.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
But the tone, substance, and other conclusions that characterize the piece are irresponsible, and unproductive.
—Neil Chilson, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Tens of thousands of unproductive and unplugged oil wells have been abandoned across California — many of which continue to leak potentially explosive methane or toxic benzene.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unproductive
Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
After an unproductive call with Caroline's belligerent husband (Ronald Bronstein), Linda gives the child to the police.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
But the tone, substance, and other conclusions that characterize the piece are irresponsible, and unproductive.
—Neil Chilson, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Tens of thousands of unproductive and unplugged oil wells have been abandoned across California — many of which continue to leak potentially explosive methane or toxic benzene.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unproductive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unproductive
Adjective
-
The experience gave me a front-row seat to the coast’s dramatic beauty, and also a lesson in the abundance of the Arctic, a region often assumed to be barren.—
Karen Gardiner,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
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This isn't to say every single post-starburst galaxy is totally barren.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The mammal’s health deteriorated as it became repeatedly stranded in shallow waters, and unsuccessful efforts to coax it toward deeper seas were livestreamed across the globe.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The child was taken to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Azle, where additional lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful, the sheriff's office said.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Introducing the setting with a majestic crane shot (particularly immersive in 3D), his camera soars above the cave and surveys the desolate landscape.—
Eric Kohn,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
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For myself, having a Wrangler is the perfect vehicle to just drive these desolate roads.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Bayern coach José Barcala was also shown red by referee Ivana Martinčić for his protests, which were futile because a VAR check confirmed Kett’s foul.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
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The entire Earth knows it, and that makes trading Aiyuk for anything notable a nearly futile undertaking.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Democrats have attacked these anti-fraud policies as an effort to undermine safety net programs for the impoverished.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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The redevelopment could begin unfolding as the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, the former Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, begins construction on a new $35 million headquarters in Clay Arsenal, two major projects for the long-impoverished neighborhood.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In a generally useless exercise, NFL draft analysts have delivered their annual grades.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
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What also follows is a useless debate over the cultural impact of the movie amid concerns that the film is a little loose with the truth or outright forgetful about key moments of Jackson’s complex and complicated life.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Injuries to key players on the Amazin’s contributed to some poor numbers as well.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Although poor students are disproportionately likely to receive special education in New York City, well-off disabled kids are the ones most acutely driving up the budget.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Shards of glass and ceramic, rusted metal, medical and bio-waste, syringes, cracked circuit boards, and broken electronics protruded everywhere.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
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Its 2020 anti-waste law requires unsold nonfood goods to be reused, donated or recycled instead of destroyed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unproductive. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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