Definition
Abortive refers to an action or process that is unsuccessful, cut short, or unable to achieve its intended goal.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective
Synonyms
unsuccessful, fruitless, failed, futile, thwarted, unsuccessful, unproductive, vain, ineffective, in vain
Antonyms
successful, accomplished, fruitful, effective, productive, prosperous
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | abort, abortions, aborts, abortionists, abortion, abortionist |
| Verb | aborting, aborted, abort, aborts |
| Adjective | abortive |
| Adverb | abortively |
Example Sentences
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Despite their initial efforts, the team’s project turned out to be abortive as they faced numerous setbacks and couldn’t reach their objectives.
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The government’s attempt to implement a new policy proved abortive when it faced strong opposition from various stakeholders.
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After spending weeks planning the perfect surprise party, all of Jane’s efforts went down the drain due to an abortive attempt by one of the party organizers.
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The singer’s attempt to revive his career with a new album turned out to be an abortive endeavor as it failed to resonate with the audience.
Usage
The word ‘abortive’ can be traced back to the Latin word ‘abortivus’, derived from ‘abortus’, which means ‘miscarriage’ or ‘abortion’. The root of the word reflects the concept of something being cut short or prevented from reaching its intended outcome.
As an adjective, ‘abortive’ is used to describe an action or process that is unsuccessful or incapable of achieving its intended goal. It implies a sense of incompleteness or failure, often due to external factors or unforeseen circumstances. For example, an abortive attempt to solve a complex problem may indicate that the solution was not successful, whether due to lack of resources, time constraints, or other difficulties.
The prefix ‘a-’ in ‘abortive’ serves a negating function, implying the absence of success or achievement. It is worth noting that the word ‘abortive’ is primarily used in formal or literary language and may not be as commonly employed in everyday conversation.
Overall, ‘abortive’ is a versatile adjective that can be applied to various situations where an action or process has been cut short or proven ineffective. It conveys a sense of disappointment or frustration and highlights the inability to accomplish the desired outcome.