ABORTIVE Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

abortive

adjective

ə-ˈbȯr-tiv

Definition of abortive

as in unsuccessful

producing no results an abortive attempt to recover the sunken pirate ship

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Recent Examples of abortive The move fizzled and Herbst stayed put, but the abortive removal attempt has lingered like a dark cloud ever since. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2026 Six of the album’s tracks began in abortive sessions in the 2010s with Patti Smith Group bassist Tony Shanahan. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026 The social media profiles of some Moran personnel also show they were linked to Wagner, which was effectively liquidated after its then boss Yevgeny Prigozhin launched an abortive revolt in Russia in 2023. — Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025 Even as Nintendo has endlessly mined its classic consoles for nostalgic re-releases in recent decades, the company has seemed to completely ignore the existence of the Virtual Boy—its abortive 1990s dip into the world of early virtual reality. — ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abortive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abortive

Adjective

Dean Riley, 62, was pronounced dead at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise after lifesaving measures were unsuccessful, according to the coroner’s office.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
While not all lawsuits filed against small businesses are valid, even an unsuccessful lawsuit can cause major business disruptions and result in costly legal fees.

— Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsuccessful

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abortions

abortive

abortiveness

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“Abortive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abortive. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of abortive

adjective

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