enabler

noun

en·​abler i-ˈnā-b(ə-)lər 

: one that enables another to achieve an end

especially : one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior (such as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by making it possible to avoid the consequences of such behavior

Did you know?

Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler

Enable has a number of senses, most of which are some variant on allowing someone (or something, such as enabling cookies on a computer) to do something. In the past several decades, enable has also started to take on a new associated sense in the field of addiction studies, where enabling is viewed as giving misguided support to a person with some substance-abuse issue. A person who facilitates the self-destructive behavior of another is referred to as an enabler.

Examples of enabler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nadella is talking his own book — Microsoft has no frontier model of its own and, in the middle of a messy uncoupling from OpenAI, is positioning itself as the enabler of the learning loop rather than the model underneath. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 June 2026

In an administration rife with corruption and abuse, Blanche is one of its chief enablers. —Carl P. Leubsdorf, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026

Kate Marvel, a climate scientist who recently left NASA due to political interference in climate-science research there, said peer review has long been an enabler of America’s scientific leadership. —Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 June 2026

Technology-powered, people-led There is little doubt that technology is rapidly becoming a key enabler of clarity, control, and scalability within modern family offices. —Paul Westall, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for enabler

• abler
• glabellar
• stabler

Medical Definition

enabler

noun

en·​abler i-ˈnā-b(ə-)lər 

: one that enables another to achieve an end

especially : one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior (as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by helping that individual avoid the consequences of such behavior