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View synonyms for

abortive

[ uh-bawr-tiv ]

adjective

  1. failing to succeed; unsuccessful:

    an abortive rebellion; an abortive scheme.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

    Antonyms:

  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

/ əˈɔːɪ /

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

  • ·ǰt· adverb
  • ·ǰt·Ա noun
  • ԴDza·ǰi adjective
  • ԴDza·ǰi·ly adverb
  • ԴDza·ǰi·ness noun
  • ܲa·ǰt adjective
  • un·ǰt· adverb
  • un·ǰt·Ա noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of abortive1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word ǰīܲ. 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.

From

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

From

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

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

From

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

From

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