abet

verb

ə-ˈbet 

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

ə-ˈbet-mənt 

noun

abettor noun

or less commonly abetter

ə-ˈbe-tər 

Synonyms of abet

• provoke
• promote
• encourage

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

Prosecutors won a 77-year sentence on Wednesday for 27-year-old Kyle Spitze on charges of producing child pornography, possessing and accessing the material, and abetting the distribution of animal crush videos. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026

The White House has in recent days also pressured Israel’s leader to condemn Israeli settlers’ siege of Palestinians in the West Bank, which soldiers stand accused of abetting. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Any attempt by the co-trustees to do otherwise, and any attempt to aid or abet the co-trustees as such, would constitute a breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty and be in contempt of court. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Under Nevada law, someone who aids or abets a crime—or encourages, hires, commands, or otherwise induces another person to commit it—can be prosecuted as a principal. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 16 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for abet

• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette
• cadet

Kids Definition

abet

verb

ə-ˈbet 

abetted; abetting

: to actively encourage or aid

abetment

-mənt 

noun

abettor noun

also abetter

-ˈbet-ər 

Legal Definition

abet

transitive verb

ə-ˈbet 

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

ə-ˈbe-tər