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

Have there been deaths linked to mifepristone? —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025

In 2023, the FDA removed the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone and added a pharmacy certification process, essentially expanding access through telehealth. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025

Hey Jane prescribes the two-drug combination of mifepristone and misoprostol up until the 11th week, Freedman said. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The plaintiffs argue that the policy forced doctors and pharmacists to deny medically necessary care, noting that mifepristone and misoprostol are first-line treatments for miscarriages and postpartum hemorrhage. —Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

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