abetted; abetting

transitive verb

1
: to actively second and encourage (something, such as an activity or plan)
abet the commission of a crime
2
: to assist or support (someone) in the achievement of a purpose
The singer was abetted by a skillful accompanist.
especially : to assist, encourage, instigate, or support with criminal intent in attempting or carrying out a crime
often used in the phrase aid and abet
accused of aiding and abetting a criminal
abetment noun
abettor noun
or less commonly abetter
Choose the Right Synonym for abet

incite, instigate, abet, foment mean to spur to action.

incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

Examples of abet in a Sentence

She abetted the thief in his getaway. Did he abet the commission of a crime? Their actions were shown to abet terrorism.
Recent Examples on the Web My recent research with colleagues Raghu Garud, Nelson Phillips, and Llewellyn Thomas explains why: stakeholders, including investors, business partners and employees, often abet deception when entrepreneurs begin to embellish reality. Iese Business School, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024 But having a right-wing government in Chile was not really vital to American global credibility in a bipolar world, and the leftist government was not nearly enough of a security threat to justify abetting its overthrow. Joseph S. Nye Jr., Foreign Affairs, 30 Nov. 2023 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 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.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abetten, borrowed from Anglo-French abeter, from a-, prefix in transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + beter "to harass (a bear with dogs), bait," borrowed from Old Low Franconian *bētan; akin to Old English bǣtan "to set upon (with animals), bait" — more at bait entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abet was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near abet

Cite this Entry

“Abet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abet. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

abet

verb
abetted; abetting
: to actively encourage or aid
abetment noun
abettor noun
also abetter

Legal Definition

abet

transitive verb
abetted; abetting
: to assist, encourage, instigate, or support with criminal intent in attempting or carrying out a crime
often used in the phrase aid and abet
abetment noun
abettor noun
also abetter

More from Merriam-Webster on abet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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