'counterproductive' is a compound formed from the prefix 'counter-' + the adjective 'productive'; 'counter-' comes from Latin 'contra' meaning 'against', and 'productive' derives from 'produce' (Latin 'producere', from 'pro-' 'forward' + 'ducere' 'to lead').

'counterproductive' is a relatively modern English compound (20th century) created by combining 'counter-' (from Latin via Old French) with 'productive' (from Latin 'producere' via Middle French and Middle English); the adverb 'counterproductively' was formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective.

Originally the components meant 'against' + 'producing/creating', and the compound's meaning has remained consistent: behaving or acting in a manner that works against intended production or desired outcomes.