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 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 Garbowit recalls that there were only around sixteen members of Congress lined up behind Thanedor’s abortive resolution—so the fact that Green’s follow-up motion garnered seventy-nine supporters in the caucus is a sign of progress. — Chris Lehmann, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abortive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abortive

Adjective

It could not be immediately determined if Harris has an attorney who could speak on his behalf, and efforts to reach his family by phone were unsuccessful.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Trump met with Kim three times for denuclearization talks during his first term in office that were ultimately unsuccessful.

— Aileen Graef, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsuccessful

Adjective

Stuart Bloom’s futile efforts to right the space-time continuum will continue.

— Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
The central legal debate in the last stretch leading up to Mangione’s trial has revolved around who will get to participate in this perhaps futile—though understandable—interpretive exercise.

— Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of futile

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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 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of abortive

adjective

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