What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nontherapeutic
Example
The doctor determined that the medication was nontherapeutic and stopped prescribing it. [nontherapeutic: adjective]
Example
The counselor recognized that the client's defensive responses were nontherapeutic and worked to address them. [nontherapeutic: adjective]
unhelpful
Example
The teacher found the student's disruptive behavior unhelpful to the learning environment. [unhelpful: adjective]
Example
The manager acknowledged that the company's current strategy was unhelpful in achieving their goals. [unhelpful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unhelpful is more commonly used than nontherapeutic in everyday language. Unhelpful is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while nontherapeutic is more specific and often used in professional or clinical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nontherapeutic and unhelpful?
Both nontherapeutic and unhelpful are often used in professional or formal contexts, but nontherapeutic is more commonly associated with clinical or medical settings.