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Showing results for contraceptive. Search instead for non-receptive.
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.

Cornell University scientists have taken a major step toward developing a safe, reversible, long-acting and 100% effective nonhormonal male contraceptive, considered the holy grail of male contraception.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

Despite continuing pain, she says the only advice she has been given is to take the contraceptive pill.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Hall, a self-employed silversmith, first noticed symptoms after coming off the contraceptive pill which she said had been "masking" the pain for 10 years.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

Now, the women are making choices on contraceptive methods based on the funding cuts.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2026

Ritual and ethical absention and the use of contraceptive drugs seem to have played the major part in maintaining this stability.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

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.