Synonyms of abortive

abortive

adjective

ə-ˈbȯr-tiv 

as in unsuccessful

producing no results

an abortive attempt to recover the sunken pirate ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unsuccessful
• futile
• useless
• in vain
• unavailing
• fruitless
• unprofitable
• vain
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• unproductive
• insufficient
• bootless
• impossible
• profitless
• no dice
• worthless
• of no avail
• not worth the candle
• inadequate
• otiose
• inefficacious
• barren
• meaningless
• empty
• lost
• pointless
• hollow
• idle
• valueless
• hopeless
• lacking
• counterproductive
• unattainable
• no-win
• wanting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• successful
• effective
• efficient
• profitable
• productive
• fruitful
• deadly
• virtuous
• potent
• meaningful
• worthwhile
• adequate
• sufficient
• effectual
• efficacious
• practical
• feasible
• applicable
• functional
• workable
• usable
• practicable
• realizable

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abortive

As children, Vi and Jinx lose their parents in an abortive revolution in Zaun, and years later find themselves on opposite sides of an unfolding power struggle between the two city-states. — David Faris, TheWeek, 22 May 2026

Those forces have remained in the country, albeit now with more direct control from the Kremlin (after Wagner’s bombastic chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, led an abortive coup against Moscow and paid the ultimate price for it). — Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 11 May 2026

The move fizzled and Herbst stayed put, but the abortive removal attempt has lingered like a dark cloud ever since. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2026

Six of the album’s tracks began in abortive sessions in the 2010s with Patti Smith Group bassist Tony Shanahan. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026