abetted; abetting
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
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
Unscrupulous employers, sometimes abetted by state regulators looking the other way, haven’t ceased trying to circumvent the rules.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
The federal government itself also has a near-monopoly on the market for economically ruinous student loans—the very loans that are themselves disproportionately responsible for abetting the modern four-year college's misbegotten status as a necessary rite of passage to achieve the American dream.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Buy Now 03 of 10 'Alias Grace' by Margaret Atwood
In 1840’s Toronto, scullery maid Grace Marks, 16, is accused of abetting the brutal murder of her employer and his pregnant housekeeper.
—Bailey Seybolt, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
In October, prosecutors charged Ong for abetting ex-transport minister S. Iswaran over two flights, a night’s stay at the Four Seasons hotel in Doha, along with Formula-1 tickets.
—Jonathan Burgos, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abet
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Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
The federal government itself also has a near-monopoly on the market for economically ruinous student loans—the very loans that are themselves disproportionately responsible for abetting the modern four-year college's misbegotten status as a necessary rite of passage to achieve the American dream.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Buy Now 03 of 10 'Alias Grace' by Margaret Atwood
In 1840’s Toronto, scullery maid Grace Marks, 16, is accused of abetting the brutal murder of her employer and his pregnant housekeeper.
—Bailey Seybolt, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
In October, prosecutors charged Ong for abetting ex-transport minister S. Iswaran over two flights, a night’s stay at the Four Seasons hotel in Doha, along with Formula-1 tickets.
—Jonathan Burgos, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abet
Cite this Entry
“Abet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abet. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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