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

• 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

Twenty years of occupation of Southern Lebanon led to high Israeli and Lebanese casualties and created the conditions that abetted Hezbollah’s rise to power. —Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2025

The symbiosis of the Trump-Newsom vaudeville act is truly remarkable, each abetting the other’s desire to enhance his image as a warrior for moral righteousness. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 June 2025

George Floyd had been murdered by Police Officer Derek Chauvin, abetted by several other officers in Minneapolis, Target’s home city, only about three months earlier. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025

In each of these instances, the speeches were either approved by UCLA administrators or abetted by those who refused to step in when speakers went off-script. —Isabella Brannon, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025

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
• brevet
• 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