(of an action行动) not successful; failed不成功的；失败的 synonym unsuccessful- an abortive military coup一次流产的军事政变
- abortive attempts to divert the course of the river河流改道不遂的尝试
Extra Examples- He tried to set up a meeting but his efforts proved abortive.他试图召开会议，但他的努力失败了。
- An attempted reform of the organization proved largely abortive.尝试对该组织进行改革在很大程度上证明是失败的。
- The companies were involved in an abortive takeover battle.这些公司参与了一场失败的收购战。
- There was an abortive attempt to overthrow the government.曾进行过一次失败的推翻政府的企图。
Topics Difficulty and failurec2Oxford Collocations DictionaryAbortive is used with these nouns: See full entry Word OriginMiddle English (as a noun denoting a stillborn child or animal): via Old French from Latin abortivus, from aboriri ‘miscarry’, from ab- ‘away, from’ + oriri ‘be born’.