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

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

This one comes from Trump’s approach, abetted by Republicans in Congress, to the student loan crisis. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025

Jason Miller/Getty Images Those season pros helped point guard Cade Cunningham grow into an All-NBA talent, and abetted the growth of center Jalen Duren and shooting guard Jaden Ivey. —Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025

That includes some searing experiences with the corruption that sustains the drug trade, and a conviction that the United States cannot successfully fight the traffickers without also taking on the officials who abet their operations. —Tim Golden, ProPublica, 29 Apr. 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