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

This is the most common way in the U.S. to terminate a pregnancy through medication, and mifepristone can be taken during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025

The American Civil Liberties Union said the case should have been settled when the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously preserved access to mifepristone. —Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025

The Center last year also filed a lawsuit challenging some remaining FDA restrictions on mifepristone. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 26 Nov. 2024

The law, passed in May, puts mifepristone and misoprostol in the same category in Louisiana as benzodiazepines including Valium, Xanax and Ativan. —Meg Tirrell, CNN, 1 Oct. 2024

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