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Synonyms

contraceptive

American  
[kon-truh-sep-tiv] / ˌkɒn trəˈsɛp tɪv /

adjective

  1. tending or serving to prevent conception or impregnation.

  2. pertaining to contraception.

noun

  1. a contraceptive device, drug, foam, etc.

contraceptive British  
/ ˌkɒntrəˈsɛptɪv /

adjective

  1. relating to or used for contraception; able or tending to prevent impregnation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. any device that prevents or tends to prevent conception

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
contraceptive Scientific  
/ kŏn′trə-sĕp′tĭv /

  1. A substance or device capable of preventing pregnancy.

Etymology

Origin of contraceptive

First recorded in 1890–95; contra- 1 ( def. ) + (con)ceptive ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She asked doctors if it could be endometriosis but was told she was too young and was given the contraceptive pill to ease the pain.

From BBC

The findings may also support the development of new contraceptive strategies, particularly nonhormonal approaches.

From Science Daily

Hormonal contraceptives may subtly reshape how partners feel about each other.

From BBC

As a result, they had to quickly prioritize which areas they could visit and offer their services and contraceptives, leaving many women without access to their services throughout the year.

From Salon

Guttmacher Institute estimates that 50 million women and girls have already been denied contraceptive care in low and middle-income countries globally.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.