enabler

noun

en·​abler i-ˈnā-b(ə-)lər 

: one that enables another to achieve an end

especially : one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior (such as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by making it possible to avoid the consequences of such behavior

Did you know?

Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler

Enable has a number of senses, most of which are some variant on allowing someone (or something, such as enabling cookies on a computer) to do something. In the past several decades, enable has also started to take on a new associated sense in the field of addiction studies, where enabling is viewed as giving misguided support to a person with some substance-abuse issue. A person who facilitates the self-destructive behavior of another is referred to as an enabler.

Examples of enabler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Young men and women went overseas, on orders of presidents, to try to cripple and kill the enemy and its enablers in foreign lands. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

Both are powerful enablers, but neither replaces the responsibility of creating real value for customers. — Tim Dowd, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Zitelmann joins us to discuss capitalism and the importance of extraterrestrial land ownership as an enabler of human expansion off-Earth. — Space.com Staff, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026

These budget defenders are useful enablers for an early Bench Boost in one of the opening two gameweeks. — Holly Shand, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for enabler

• abler
• glabellar
• stabler

Medical Definition

enabler

noun

en·​abler i-ˈnā-b(ə-)lər 

: one that enables another to achieve an end

especially : one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior (as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by helping that individual avoid the consequences of such behavior