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View synonyms for abortive

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • 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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of abortive1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

His abortive proposal to finagle nominees into office without Senate confirmation alienated legislators whose help he will need over the next four years.

On Saturday morning, four days after Yoon's abortive attempt to declare martial law, the president once again appeared on television.

From BBC

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

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

Later came boarding school and an abortive spell at Oxford University.

From BBC

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