abortive (adjective)

1. The attempt to capture the golden fleece by Jason and the Argonauts proved abortive as they encountered numerous challenges and failed to accomplish their mission.

2. In the comic series, the superhero's attempt to defeat the supervillain was abortive as the villain managed to escape and continue causing chaos.

3. Their relationship was marked by abortive attempts at reconciliation, as they failed to bridge the differences that led to their breakup.

4. The protagonist's quest to retrieve the enchanted amulet from the treacherous dragon turned out to be abortive when the dragon fiercely guarded its lair, preventing the hero from succeeding.