abortive
adjective/əˈbɔrtɪv/
Frequency rank: #17,520 of 20,003 in the WORDED list (wordfreq data)
Meaning
failing to succeed; coming to nothing before completion.
Example sentence
The rebels made abortive efforts to seize the capital, but they were quickly suppressed.
Synonyms & related words
More words in ranks 17,501–17,600
- warlikeinclined toward or ready for war; aggressive and hostile.
- wispa small, thin streak or bundle of something, such as smoke, hair, or cloud.
- woldAn open, rolling plain or upland area, typically without trees.
- yearlingAn animal, especially a horse or sheep, that is one year old or in its second year.
- ablyin a skillful or competent manner
- aikidoa Japanese martial art that uses the attacker's own force against them, emphasizing throws and joint locks rather than strikes.
- anagrama word or phrase formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase.
- apostateA person who has abandoned their religious faith, political party, or cause.
- archwayAn opening or passage formed by an arch, often made of stone or brick.
- artfullyin a clever, skilful, or cunning way