What word means something or someone that goes/works against itself? [closed]

I think I remember a word like that and it begins with the prefix counter. Can anyone help me?

Solution 1:

I think the word you are looking for is counterproductive:

adjective

1. thwarting the achievement of an intended goal; tending to defeat one's purpose:

See also the answer to this question:

Is there an English word or phrase that means “intending to help and hurting instead?”

Solution 2:

I think you want: contradict, as in contradictory, contradiction, contradicting, contradicted, contrary, and so on.

It’s not counter-; it’s contra-. But the etymology is basically the same.

I also like: paradox and oxymoron, both of which I consider to be similar or at least somewhat related.

Solution 3:

While it doesn't start with counter-, I think self-defeating is worth considering.

Link: http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/self-defeating