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

These budget defenders are useful enablers for an early Bench Boost in one of the opening two gameweeks. — Holly Shand, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

If talent is becoming one of the world's most valuable resources, then mobility is becoming an important enabler. — Armand Arton, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Think of his financial planner turned drug cartel enabler Marty Byrde in Netflix’s Ozark. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026

Sustained Ukrainian drone strikes have hit Russia’s refineries, and tougher Western sanctions have started to bite, like the lower European Union oil price cap and measures targeting Russia’s shadow-fleet enablers. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 15 Aug. 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