abortive
/əˈbɔːrtɪv/
ADJECTIVE
1. Unsuccessful or producing no intended result
Failing to achieve the intended purpose or desired outcome; coming to nothing despite an attempt or effort.
1.1. An unsuccessful attempt or effort
Describes an attempt, effort, or undertaking that fails to achieve its intended result.
Synonyms
- unsuccessful
- failed
- fruitless
- futile
- bootless
- unavailing
- ineffectual
- ineffective
- vain
- unproductive
Antonyms
- successful
- effective
- fruitful
- productive
- successful
Examples
- The negotiation attempts proved abortive due to conflicting interests.
- Their abortive efforts to start a business left them frustrated and disillusioned.
- Despite their abortive attempts, they remained determined to find a solution to the problem.
Related Words
1.2. A failed or unsuccessful plan or operation
Describes a planned action, launch, or operation that does not succeed or is prevented from achieving its objective.
Synonyms
- failed
- unsuccessful
- ineffective
- fruitless
- futile
Antonyms
- successful
- effective
- productive
- fruitful
Examples
- The company's abortive launch of the new product resulted in financial losses.
- The abortive coup attempt was swiftly thwarted by government forces.
Related Words
- thwarted
- frustrated
- foiled
- defeated
- counterproductive
ADJECTIVE
2. Imperfectly formed or developed
Produced prematurely or incompletely, resulting in something rudimentary, underdeveloped, or unable to develop normally.
2.1. Premature or incomplete development
Describes an organism, structure, or formation that has been produced prematurely or has failed to develop fully.
Synonyms
- rudimentary
- underdeveloped
- imperfectly formed
- embryonic
- incomplete
Antonyms
Related Words
- premature
- undeveloped
- immature
- malformed
- underdevelopment
2.2. Sterile or incapable of producing fruit
Describes a plant or reproductive structure that is barren or fails to produce fruit or viable offspring.
Synonyms
- barren
- sterile
- unfruitful
Antonyms
- fruitful
- fertile
- productive
Related Words
- infertile
- unproductive
- fruitless
- nonviable
ADJECTIVE
3. Causing or intended to cause an abortion
Having the property or effect of inducing abortion or interrupting the development of a pregnancy.
3.1. Having an abortion-inducing effect
Describes a substance or medicinal agent attributed with the ability to induce abortion.
Synonyms
- abortifacient
Related Words
- abortion
- pregnancy termination
- aborticide
ADJECTIVE
4. Cutting short the progress of a disease
Acting to halt or slow the progress of an illness or disease, particularly at an early stage.
4.1. Halting or slowing disease progression
Describes a treatment or effect that interrupts or prevents an illness from progressing further.
Synonyms
- disease-arresting
- curative
Related Words
- treatment
- therapy
- disease prevention
- symptom control