mifepristone

noun

mi·​fep·​ris·​tone ˌmi-fə-ˈpri-ˌstōn 

mi-ˈfe-pri-ˌstōn

: a drug C₂₉H₃₅NO₂ taken orally to induce abortion especially early in pregnancy by blocking the body's use of progesterone

called also RU-486

Examples of mifepristone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Few shield law providers mail mifepristone themselves, with most relying instead on pharmacies in California. —Patrick Adams, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025

Have there been deaths linked to mifepristone? —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025

In 2023, the FDA removed the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone and added a pharmacy certification process, essentially expanding access through telehealth. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025

Hey Jane prescribes the two-drug combination of mifepristone and misoprostol up until the 11th week, Freedman said. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from amino + fe- (alteration of phen-) + pri- (alteration of prop-) + estradiol + -one

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mifepristone

• aldosterone
• anticyclone
• progesterone
• testosterone
• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone

Medical Definition

mifepristone

noun

mi·​fep·​ris·​tone ˌmi-fə-ˈpris-ˌtōn  mi-ˈfep-ri-ˌstōn 

: a drug C₂₉H₃₅NO₂ taken orally to induce abortion especially early in pregnancy by blocking the body's use of progesterone

called also RU-486