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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 Meanwhile, my attempts to live in the moment, even those abetted by meditation, have felt squishy, uncertain, and evasive. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025 Special prosecutors investigating the country’s martial law crisis also indicted on Friday former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo who was appointed by Yoon on charges of abetting insurrection and committing perjury, a prosecution spokesperson said. CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025 The book details the investigation into a string of unsolved killings in and around the special operations base, revealing a network of narco-trafficking conspiracies that corrupt police abetted and the military covered up. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025 The book reveals a network of drug trafficking conspiracies that corrupt police abetted and that the military covered up. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abet
Verb
  • The one vote against the proclamation came from Board Chair Kathryn Barger, who warned that the county’s action could provoke legal consequences.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ohio State committed wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt aided the drive with a 26-yard reception that featured a cutback across the field.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The Giants also could seek to preserve some continuity from this past season’s coaching staff to aid Vitello’s transition.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Duran had published articles on Tan and his wealthy colleagues, like Balaji Srinivasan, a tech investor who was promoting an esoteric but stubbornly influential concept called the Network State.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Soft platinum coils are delivered into the aneurysm under X-ray guidance to promote clotting and block blood flow into the weakened vessel.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Wealthier Americans have been assisted by rising house values, lucrative stock market returns and favorable credit, while lower- and middle-income buyers have faced tighter budgets and have been hit hard by rising inflation.
    Michael Wayland, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Local media has reported that Hong Kong's Government Flying Service deployed helicopters above the affected runway, and Fire Services Department vessels also assisted with the rescue operations.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Even then, Sitake and his former teammates were encouraged to speak freely in meetings, to suggest alternative schemes and to acknowledge ways to be different.
    Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The shipping industry would have paid the tax into a fund created by the IMO, to encourage emissions reductions and raise funds for climate action.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • By platforming industry experts and passionate entrepreneurs, Ducard is helping Pinterest expand into new arenas.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The findings could help improve forecasts of how radioactive materials are released from storage over thousands of years.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abet. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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