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

Fabrics like that of Baya Systems represent a key enabler in that evolution. —Karl Freund, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025

And to what extent was the tragedy caused or exacerbated by climate change—and by the greed and nihilism of its corporate and political enablers, including Ted Cruz, the climate-change-denying senator from Texas? —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 July 2025

Many thanks to Prime Minister Mark Carney and many other Canadian leaders who so willingly stand up to and call out the sheer lunacy coming from the White House, and those in Congress who are nothing more than ignorant enablers of the president. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2025

The President and his MAGA enablers are ripping care from cancer patients, meals from children, and money from working families — just to give tax breaks to the ultra-rich. —Dan Gooding gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025

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