The word "abortive" means failing to produce the intended result or being unsuccessful. Here are some synonyms and an analysis:
unsuccessful: This is a very straightforward synonym. It clearly indicates that an attempt or action did not achieve the desired outcome. For example, "The mission was unsuccessful." Just like "abortive", it implies a lack of success.
fruitless: This word emphasizes that an effort was in vain and did not bear fruit. For instance, "Their search for the treasure was fruitless." It's similar to "abortive" in that it shows that the endeavor was without positive results.
ineffective: It means not having the desired effect or being unable to produce a result. For example, "The medicine was ineffective in curing the disease." Like "abortive", it points to a lack of success in achieving a particular goal.
unproductive: This suggests that an activity or process did not yield any useful output. For instance, "The meeting was unproductive." It is comparable to "abortive" in that it indicates a lack of useful results.
failed: This is a very obvious synonym. It directly states that something has not succeeded. For example, "The project was a failed attempt." Just like "abortive", it shows that the effort was unsuccessful.