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

Amarillo didn’t join the mifepristone case, which, as Mitchell had predicted, the Supreme Court eventually dismissed based on a lack of standing. —Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024

The teenager’s mother reportedly went online and ordered mifepristone from Carpenter to terminate the pregnancy. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025

Last year, the Supreme Court dismissed an earlier version of the lawsuit, saying that private parties had no legal basis to challenge access to mifepristone. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025

Last year, Walgreens and CVS began dispensing mifepristone in some states, as did scores of smaller pharmacies in at least a dozen states. —Pam Belluck, New York Times, 7 Jan. 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