abet

play

verb \ə-ˈbet\

Definition of abet

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

play \-mənt\ noun

abettor

or less commonly

abetter

play \ə-ˈbe-tər\ noun

See abet defined for English-language learners

See abet defined for kids

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 of abet from the Web

So, the president seems to have abetted an autocratic government’s attempt to use cyber attacks and propaganda to spread fraudulent narratives that undermine America’s national interests.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Report: UAE Orchestrated Qatar Feud by Spreading Fake News," 17 July 2017
Listings in our region are considerably down, as is new construction, each of which has abetted the bid up in pricing.

— roger showley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Time to sell? Econometer looks at homeowner's dilemma," 7 July 2017
The firm thereby abetted in genocide and circumvented American sanctions on Sudan.

— The Economist, "A long reckoningBNP Paribas faces accusations over the Rwandan genocide," 5 July 2017
What's even worse, her best friend Casey (Meghan Lennox), who's letting Izzy temporarily crash on her couch, refuses to continue abetting her co-dependent schemes and tells her to take the bus instead.

— justin lowe, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Izzy Gets The F— Across Town': Film Review | LAFF 2017," 2 July 2017
In 2007, a majority-black grand jury declined to indict her in connection with the killing after considering a range of charges that included aiding and abetting murder, manslaughter and accessory after the fact.

— USA TODAY, "Emmett Till marker in Mississippi vandalized, erased," 27 June 2017
Christopher Allen Bush, 26, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of aiding and abetting a commercial robbery.

— tony rizzo, kansascity.com, "Armed robbery getaway driver didn’t — his GPS monitor led police right to him," 26 June 2017
But then, the GOP has always known that the birther-king fits said description — and abetted the mogul’s rise to power, anyway.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Suggests That Russia Never Hacked the DNC, ‘It’s All a Big Dem HOAX’," 22 June 2017
Rojonah Harris, 35, who owned and operated Harris Finance and Tax Service, faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $100,000 fine on one count of aiding and abetting in the preparation of false tax returns.

— robert rhoden, NOLA.com, "Hammond tax preparer admits submitting false tax returns, netting clients $1.1 million," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of abet

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 ¹bait

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First Known Use: 14th century

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Synonym Discussion of 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