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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb abet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of abet are foment, incite, and instigate. While all these words mean "to spur to action," abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

When might foment be a better fit than abet?

The synonyms foment and abet are sometimes interchangeable, but foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

When can incite be used instead of abet?

The words incite and abet can be used in similar contexts, but incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

In what contexts can instigate take the place of abet?

While in some cases nearly identical to abet, instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abet Meanwhile, my attempts to live in the moment, even those abetted by meditation, have felt squishy, uncertain, and evasive. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025 Special prosecutors investigating the country’s martial law crisis also indicted on Friday former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo who was appointed by Yoon on charges of abetting insurrection and committing perjury, a prosecution spokesperson said. CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025 The book details the investigation into a string of unsolved killings in and around the special operations base, revealing a network of narco-trafficking conspiracies that corrupt police abetted and the military covered up. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025 The book reveals a network of drug trafficking conspiracies that corrupt police abetted and that the military covered up. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abet
Verb
  • The combined vaccine has been extensively studied and consistently shown to provoke an immune response comparable to what’s seen when the individual vaccines are given separately, and without raising the risk of serious side effects.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Things that are shocking and terrible provoke our curiosity; if nothing ever went wrong, there would be no newspapers.
    Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There’s little blood supply in that area to aid the healing process.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Colorado had a chance to retake the lead after Salter led the offense down to the TCU 2-yard line, aided by a controversial pass interference call on Vernon Glover on third down.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • To avoid tired, swollen feet, swap your ankle socks out for these Charmking compression socks, which promote good blood circulation in the air.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Leo will soon embark on his first international trip, visiting Turkey and Lebanon, where he is expected to focus on promoting peace in the Middle East.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Under a pending agreement with ICE, the Guard's role enforcing immigration laws could expand to providing additional military personnel to be trained by ICE and deputized into assisting with policing immigration.
    Juan Cordoba, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Through mutual support agreements with partner agencies, the antenna can also assist NASA, Japan’s JAXA, India’s ISRO, and even commercial space missions, enhancing scientific output and operational efficiency across the board.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Attendees left the event with tourniquets or trauma bandages and were encouraged to reach out to Bound Tree Medical to purchase additional supplies for their congregations.
    Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Deadheading encourages chocolate cosmos plants to produce more flower buds, keeping plants productive.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The researchers also uncovered signs of immune and inflammation pathways involved in the disease, which could help guide treatment in the future.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Trump’s plan also states that no Palestinian will be forced to leave the territory, and residents are instead encouraged to remain to help rebuild the territory.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abet. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on abet

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