antiabortion: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, journalistic, academic, political.
Quick answer
What does “antiabortion” mean?
Opposed to abortion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Opposed to abortion; advocating for legal restrictions or a complete ban on abortion.
Relating to political, social, or ethical movements that seek to limit or prohibit abortion. Can describe individuals, groups, legislation, or rhetoric.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'anti-abortion' with a hyphen is more common in UK English. The single-word form 'antiabortion' is more frequent in US English, especially in journalistic contexts.
Connotations
Identical strong political/ethical connotations in both varieties. The term itself is ideologically marked.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US media and political discourse due to the prominence of the issue. In the UK, 'pro-life' is a common synonymous alternative.
Grammar
How to Use “antiabortion” in a Sentence
[be] antiabortion[adopt/take] an antiabortion stance[pass/introduce] antiabortion lawsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antiabortion” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The MP's anti-abortion views are well-known.
- They attended an anti-abortion rally in London.
American English
- The state passed strict antiabortion laws.
- Antiabortion protesters gathered outside the clinic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like 'The company faced boycotts from antiabortion groups.'
Academic
Common in political science, sociology, ethics, and law papers discussing reproductive rights.
Everyday
High-stakes, personal, or political conversations. Not casual.
Technical
Used in legal texts (e.g., 'antiabortion statute'), medical ethics, and political polling.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antiabortion”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “antiabortion”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antiabortion”
- Using 'anti-abortive' (incorrect; 'abortive' means 'failing').
- Confusing 'antiabortion' (against abortion) with 'antinatalist' (against childbirth).
- Misspelling as 'anti-abortian'.
- Using it as a noun for a person (*'He is an antiabortion'); better: 'He is antiabortion' or 'an antiabortion activist'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both forms exist. 'Antiabortion' (one word) is more common in American English, especially in journalism. 'Anti-abortion' (hyphenated) is often preferred in British English and in more formal writing across varieties.
'Pro-life' is a term used by supporters to emphasize a positive stance on protecting life. 'Antiabortion' is a more direct, descriptive term used neutrally or by opponents. 'Antiabortion' is often used in journalistic and academic contexts for clarity.
Rarely and awkwardly. It is primarily an adjective. To refer to a person, use phrases like 'an antiabortion activist/voter/advocate' or 'someone who is antiabortion'.
Yes, it belongs to formal, political, journalistic, and academic registers. It is not used in casual, everyday conversation about personal opinions, where phrases like 'against abortion' are more common.
Opposed to abortion.
Antiabortion: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ti.əˈbɔː.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.t̬i.əˈbɔːr.ʃən/ / ˌæn.taɪ.əˈbɔːr.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The antiabortion vote”
- “The antiabortion wing of the party”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANTI' + 'ABORTION' = against abortion.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BATTLE/FRONT: 'the antiabortion front', 'a key battleground for antiabortion campaigns'. A MOVEMENT: 'the antiabortion movement gained momentum'.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a common collocation with 'antiabortion'?