# abortifacient

/əˌbɔɹtəˈfeɪʃənt/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abortifacient
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a substance or medicine that causes a miscarriage or stops a pregnancy. It is a technical word used in medical and legal discussions.

For teachers: a substance or agent that induces abortion or prevents the development of a foetus. Often used in clinical or legal contexts to describe specific pharmaceutical compounds.

## Examples

- The doctor explained the risks of using an abortifacient.
- The legal debate centered on whether the drug in question was a true abortifacient or merely a contraceptive.
- Historically, various herbal remedies were classified as abortifacients, though modern pharmacology distinguishes between substances that prevent implantation and those that terminate an established pregnancy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.