abet
verb
ə-ˈbet 
abetted; abetting
transitive verb
1
: to actively second and encourage (something, such as an activity or plan)
abet the commission of a crime
2
: to assist or support (someone) in the achievement of a purpose
The singer was abetted by a skillful accompanist.
especially : to assist, encourage, instigate, or support with criminal intent in attempting or carrying out a crime —often used in the phrase aid and abet
accused of aiding and abetting a criminal
abetment
ə-ˈbet-mənt
noun abettor noun
or less commonly abetter
ə-ˈbe-tər
Synonyms
- brew
- ferment
- foment
- incite
- instigate
- pick
- provoke
- raise
- stir (up)
- whip (up)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She abetted the thief in his getaway. Did he abet the commission of a crime? Their actions were shown to abet terrorism.
Recent Examples on the Web Even supposedly revolutionary technologies abet this impulse. 
Michael Friedrich, The Atlantic, 25 July 2022 Kerr, whose father, Malcolm, was assassinated when Steve Kerr was in college, is an outspoken critic of gun violence and of the politicians who abet it. Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 May 2022 Trump has long complained about Kemp, who did nothing to abet Trump's effort to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Zachary B. Wolf, CNN, 6 Jan. 2022 Beyond clinicians and regulators, Purdue Pharma found many to abet its criminal scheme, including pharmacies and drug distributors who flooded small towns with mountains of opioids. Haider J. Warraich, STAT, 20 Sep. 2021 Attorney Elizabeth Myers, who represents those plaintiffs, said the orders granted by Meachum wouldn’t stop Texas Right to Life or other injunctive defendants from suing other parties that abet in abortions when the law goes into effect. Dallas News, 31 Aug. 2021 Trump wanted to leverage federal law enforcement to abet his reelection bid. Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 3 July 2021 Polls reveal shockingly high levels of isolation and loneliness among the U.S. population, conditions that are known to make people more susceptible the destructive, paranoid conspiracy theories that abet the right wing. Astra Taylor, The New Republic, 6 May 2021 Coopting the appeal of sweatsuit comfort, this set adds enough polish to aid and abet your return to in-person plans. Katharine K. Zarrella, WSJ, 24 Apr. 2021 See More
Michael Friedrich, The Atlantic, 25 July 2022 Kerr, whose father, Malcolm, was assassinated when Steve Kerr was in college, is an outspoken critic of gun violence and of the politicians who abet it. Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 May 2022 Trump has long complained about Kemp, who did nothing to abet Trump's effort to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Zachary B. Wolf, CNN, 6 Jan. 2022 Beyond clinicians and regulators, Purdue Pharma found many to abet its criminal scheme, including pharmacies and drug distributors who flooded small towns with mountains of opioids. Haider J. Warraich, STAT, 20 Sep. 2021 Attorney Elizabeth Myers, who represents those plaintiffs, said the orders granted by Meachum wouldn’t stop Texas Right to Life or other injunctive defendants from suing other parties that abet in abortions when the law goes into effect. Dallas News, 31 Aug. 2021 Trump wanted to leverage federal law enforcement to abet his reelection bid. Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 3 July 2021 Polls reveal shockingly high levels of isolation and loneliness among the U.S. population, conditions that are known to make people more susceptible the destructive, paranoid conspiracy theories that abet the right wing. Astra Taylor, The New Republic, 6 May 2021 Coopting the appeal of sweatsuit comfort, this set adds enough polish to aid and abet your return to in-person plans. Katharine K. Zarrella, WSJ, 24 Apr. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English abetten, borrowed from Anglo-French abeter, from a-, prefix in transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + beter "to harass (a bear with dogs), bait," borrowed from Old Low Franconian *bētan; akin to Old English bǣtan "to set upon (with animals), bait" — more at bait entry 1
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Legal Definition
abet
transitive verb
ə-ˈbet
abetted; abetting
: to assist, encourage, instigate, or support with criminal intent in attempting or carrying out a crime —often used in the phrase aid and abet
abet
verb
1
as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being the belief that violent entertainment abets violent behavior in the people who partake of it Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- provoke
- promote
- encourage
- incite
- foment
- instigate
- raise
- trigger
- stimulate
- cultivate
- pick
- ferment
- brew
- stimulate
- foster
- further
- inspire
- motivate
- stir (up)
- nurture
- advance
- whip (up)
- set in motion
- rouse
- forward
- nourish
- sow
- inflame
- galvanize
- invigorate
- set off
- quicken
- enliven
- excite
- energize
- detonate
- activate
- vitalize
- enflame
- set
- fire
- pep (up)
- liven (up)
- jazz (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- restrain
- discourage
- inhibit
- regulate
- constrain
- check
- hold
- curb
- tame
- rein (in)
- subdue
- allay
- soothe
- settle
- bridle
- tranquillize
- calm
- still
- quiet
- tranquilize
2
as in to aid
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end car thieves are often unwittingly abetted by owners foolishly leaving the keys in the ignition Synonyms & Similar Words
- aid
- assist
- help
- support
- facilitate
- reinforce
- back
- encourage
- promote
- endorse
- backstop
- bolster
- further
- save
- guide
- bear a hand
- succor
- foster
- sponsor
- forward
- comfort
- benefit
- patronize
- sustain
- rescue
- prop (up)
- advance
- indorse
- launch
- to stand one in good stead
- serve
- attend
- champion
- ease
- advise
- buttress
- mentor
- nurture
- profit
- hearten
- embolden
- reenforce
- oblige
- counsel
- boost
- favor
- bail out
- deliver
- minister (to)
- care (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hinder
- restrain
- impede
- inhibit
- obstruct
- thwart
- oppose
- constrain
- interfere
- balk
- hamper
- frustrate
- strangle
- sabotage
- discourage
- block
- bar
- hold back
- fail
- handicap
- baffle
- disappoint
- foil
- retard
- inconvenience
- let down
- repress
- stifle
- injure
- desert
- harm
- hurt
- dishearten
- damage
- stunt
- straiten
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of abet are foment, incite, and instigate. While all these words mean "to spur to action," abet implies both assisting and encouraging.
aiding and abetting the enemy
The synonyms foment and abet are sometimes interchangeable, but foment implies persistence in goading.
fomenting rebellion
The words incite and abet can be used in similar contexts, but incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.
inciting a riot
While in some cases nearly identical to abet, instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.
instigated a conspiracy