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abortionist

American  
[uh-bawr-shuh-nist] / əˈbɔr ʃə nɪst /

noun

Usually Disparaging.
  1. a person who performs or induces abortions, especially illegally.

  2. a person who favors or advocates abortion as a right or choice that all women should have.


abortionist British  
/ əˈbɔːʃənɪst /

noun

  1. a person who performs abortions, esp illegally

  2. a person who is in favour of abortion on demand

"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

Etymology

Origin of abortionist

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; abortion + -ist

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.

Her options were to induce an abortion herself or find a doctor or backstreet abortionist who would do it at a price.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

“Regency Girls” is the only musical comedy I can think of that includes an abortionist as a key character.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2025

Andrew Jackson Davis' 1869 novel "Tale of a Physician," for example, tells the story of an evil female physician abortionist named Madame La Stelle, who gives her "entire attention to obstetrical cases and infanticides."

From Salon • Jul. 9, 2022

“That’s how I get my kicks, I guess. You know, an abortionist has his satisfaction, too.”

From Slate • Jun. 15, 2022

It has been suggested by certain witnesses that, if the woman were legally exempt from penalty, there would be less reticence about giving evidence and a greater fear on the part of the abortionist.

From Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Various Aspects of the Problem of Abortion in New Zealand by McMillan, D. G. (David Gervan)

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