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

The judge said the state has a strong case while declining to block telehealth prescriptions to the pill mifepristone for now. —Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026

Joining Murrill as a plaintiff is a Louisiana woman who says her boyfriend coerced her into taking mifepristone from a California doctor. —Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

The previous case sought to take mifepristone off the market after more than two decades of use. —Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026

Multiple states are challenging the federal rules that allow mifepristone to be prescribed via telehealth. —Geoff Mulvihill, Fortune, 24 Mar. 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
• 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