Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

abet

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of abet

1 to bring (something volatile or intense) into being
  • the discovery that erosion abettted the forest's decline
Synonyms of abet

brew, ferment, foment, incite, instigate, pick, provoke, raise, stir (up), whip (up)
Words Related to abet

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate

detonate, set, set off, trigger

excite, galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, motivate, rouse

activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, stimulate, vitalize
Phrases Synonymous with abet

set in motion
Near Antonyms of abet

bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame

allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)
2 to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end
  • Car thieves are often unwittingly abetted by owners foolishly leaving the keys in the ignition.
Synonyms of abet

aid, assist, back, backstop, help, prop (up), support
Words Related to abet

advance, ease, facilitate, forward, foster, further, launch

champion, endorse (also indorse), patronize, promote, sponsor

attend, care (for), comfort, minister (to), succor

sustain

bolster, boost, buttress, reinforce (also reenforce)

advise, counsel, guide, mentor, nurture

bail out, deliver, rescue, save

embolden, encourage, hearten

benefit, favor, oblige, profit, serve
Phrases Synonymous with abet

bear a hand, to stand one in good stead
Near Antonyms of abet

balk, bar, block, constrain, hamper, handicap, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, restrain, strangle

baffle, foil, frustrate, inconvenience, interfere, oppose, sabotage, thwart

desert, disappoint, fail, let down

discourage, dishearten

repress, retard, stifle, straiten, stunt

damage, harm, hurt, injure
Antonyms of abet

hinder

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

Learn More about abet

  1. See words that rhyme with abet Dictionary: Definition of abet Spanish Central: Translation of abet Nglish: Translation of abet for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of abet for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up abet? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games