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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

Examples of abet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ultimately, the pair’s sensual love story is tested by revelations that force Isabel to reckon with the Netherlands’ role in abetting the Holocaust, and her family’s in silencing its survivors. The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024 Yinka-Ogunleye thinks the decline was real, abetted by COVID-19 social distancing restrictions in 2020. Byjon Cohen, science.org, 16 Aug. 2024 Malling’s ability to find a middle way in fashion is actually abetted by digital media. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2024 Trump and any other future maniacal president now has free rein to aid, abet and trample on the U.S. Constitution and other laws of the land, thanks to the biased, compromised and Trump-enabling not-so-Supreme Court. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for abet 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near abet

Cite this Entry

“Abet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abet. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on abet

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