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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb abet contrast with its synonyms?

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

When might foment be a better fit than abet?

The synonyms foment and abet are sometimes interchangeable, but foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

When can incite be used instead of abet?

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

In what contexts can instigate take the place of abet?

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abet Axe and Carawan were both charged with felonious aiding and abetting escape and conspiracy to aid and abet escape. Charna Flam, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025 To abet Trump’s fake reality, the craven House Republicans refused to put up a plaque honoring the police officers and others who defended the Capitol that awful day. Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 4 June 2025 Prosecutors say that an inner circle of bodyguards and high-ranking employees conspired to abet Combs’s crimes over a 20-year period. Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 19 May 2025 Schuman, 57, has been charged with one felony count of making a fraudulent insurance benefit claim and one felony count of assisting, abetting, conspiring with and soliciting a person in unlawful act. Rachel McRady, People.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for abet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abet
Verb
  • News of the plan, which was developed by city administrators but has not been publicly vetted or discussed, has provoked considerable consternation in political, downtown, cultural and preservation circles.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
  • While rare, there have been cases of attacks on humans when provoked or during spearfishing when blood or movement may trigger their instincts.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Today, Aflac is a household name, aided by the now-iconic duck mascot and consistent returns.
    Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 30 June 2025
  • The tight supply and inventory conditions in the HBM sector are also aiding pricing.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Trump promoted tax cuts and border security among the provisions to support in the legislation.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 30 June 2025
  • In addition to adding decorative flair to windows and doors, these multipurpose window treatments promote privacy and block light, with many designs offering temperature-regulating and sound-dampening qualities to boot.
    Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • From generating boilerplate code to assisting with architecture diagrams, AI is now part of the daily workflow.
    Sebastian Avila, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Across the country, artificial intelligence tools are changing the teaching profession as educators use them to help write quizzes and worksheets, design lessons, assist with grading and reduce paperwork.
    Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • The return of blue-book exams might disadvantage students who were encouraged to master typing at a young age.
    Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • Individuals with minimal previous experience but a passion to work for positive change are encouraged to apply.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • At least when it is used to help make work more efficient and leisure more, erm, leisurely.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • My game in my words Malik Tillman usually lets his game do the talking, and the performances are getting louder – helped by some outrageous long-range goals (Top photo: Scott Wachter/Imagn Images) Paul Tenorio is a senior writer for The Athletic who covers soccer.
    Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abet. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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