abortive

[ uh-bawr-tiv ]

adjective

1. failing to succeed; unsuccessful:

   an abortive rebellion; an abortive scheme.

   Synonyms: vain, unavailing, bootless, ineffectual, fruitless

   Antonyms: successful

2. born prematurely.
3. imperfectly developed; rudimentary.
4. Medicine/Medical.
   1. producing or intended to produce abortion; abortifacient.
   2. acting to halt progress of a disease.
5. Pathology. (of the course of a disease) short and mild without the usual, pronounced clinical symptoms.
6. Botany. (of seeds or pollen grains) imperfect; unable to germinate.

abortive

/ əˈbɔːtɪv /

adjective

1. failing to achieve a purpose; fruitless
2. (of organisms) imperfectly developed; rudimentary
3. causing abortion; abortifacient

Other Words From

• a·bortive·ly adverb
• a·bortive·ness noun
• nona·bortive adjective
• nona·bortive·ly adverb
• nona·bortive·ness noun
• una·bortive adjective
• una·bortive·ly adverb
• una·bortive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abortive¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word abortīvus. See abort, -ive

Example Sentences

So it is possible the abortive flight over Kostyantynivka was one of Moscow’s first attempts to test its new weapon in combat conditions.

From BBC

When asked why she won't support a bill to enshrine birth control as a right, she told CNN she objected to the bill covering Plan B emergency contraception, "which many folks on the right would consider abortive services."

From Salon

Turan wrote that the most hotly anticipated motion picture since “Gone With the Wind” had “an erratic, haphazard quality to it” but was “a definite improvement” on the franchise’s “abortive” second trilogy set, “The Phantom Menace,” “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith.”

From Los Angeles Times

It led him to launch his short, abortive presidential bid.

From Seattle Times

A World Cup in Qatar, Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf's spectacular splitting of a sport, the abortive launch of the European Super League and the continuing rise in broadcasting rights prices were all on D'Souza's mind as he locked himself away in a Miami penthouse in December 2022 to draw up a business plan.

From BBC

Related Words

• failed
• fruitless
• futile
• unsuccessful