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

Pay no attention to the fact that it was proposed three weeks after the EPA came out hard against three-eyed fish, or that only three months ago, this same Legislature considered $100,000 court payouts to snitches willing to rat out mifepristone providers. —Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026

When used without mifepristone, a higher dose of misoprostol must be used. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 May 2026

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends the same combination of mifepristone and misoprostol to treat a miscarriage. —Dara Kass, The Conversation, 26 May 2026

In 2023, the FDA during the Biden administration cited COVID and changed the rules, which had required women to see their doctors and receive mifepristone in-person. —Nathalie Marie Palacios, CBS News, 17 May 2026

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
• hydrocodone
• progesterone
• testosterone
• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone

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