Definition

Describing something that has been stopped or ended before it was completed, often before reaching its full development or potential.

Example

The aborted project left many questions unanswered.

Conversation

Did you hear about the project they aborted last week?

Yeah, I read about it; they said it just wasn’t working out.

It's such a shame, especially after all the effort they put in.

I know, but sometimes it's better to cut losses than to keep going with an aborted idea.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To have stopped something before it was completed, often because it was not going as planned.

Example

The mission was aborted due to technical difficulties.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you hear about the project they aborted last week?

Yeah, I heard it was due to a lack of funding.

That's such a shame; I was really looking forward to it.

Root Explanation

Aborted → It is formed from "ab-" (meaning away) and "oriri" (meaning to rise or to begin). The word "aborted" means to have been brought away from a beginning or to have been stopped before completion.

Memory Tip

Think of something that has been 'brought away' ('ab-') from its 'beginning' ('oriri') — that's why aborted means something that was stopped before it could finish.

Visually Confused Words