'antiproductively' originates from Modern English, formed from the adjective 'antiproductive', where the prefix 'anti-' comes from Greek (anti) meaning 'against' and 'productive' relates to Late Latin 'productivus' (from Latin 'producere').

'antiproductive' was created by combining the Greek prefix 'anti-' + the adjective 'productive'. 'Productive' itself is derived from Latin 'producere' via Old French 'produire' and Middle English 'produce', which led to the adjective 'productive' and then to compounds such as 'antiproductive', later adverbialized to 'antiproductively'.

Initially the parts literally conveyed 'against producing' (i.e. opposed to production); over time the compound has come to mean 'having the effect of reducing effectiveness or productivity', and the adverb describes actions done in that manner.