ABET Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

abet

verb

ə-ˈbet

Definition of abet next

as in to provoke

to bring (something volatile or intense) into being the belief that violent entertainment abets violent behavior in the people who partake of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to assist

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 & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 And this had been a lesson that Mussolini learned well, abetted by his readings and acquaintances as a young exile in French Savoy during the early twentieth century. —

Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026 Goodell abetted the Bears’ leverage by paying a visit to Hammond, too. —

David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 There is a painful irony in this reversal of national fortunes, best illustrated by the current running joke in Brazil that the White House has opened a US embassy on American soil, a nod to the US government’s nefarious history of abetting authoritarianism in Brazil. —

Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026 The Dolphins, remarkably and abetted hugely by three Jets turnovers all on lost fumbles, never trailed. —

Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abet

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abet

Verb

The ur-mutiny, encompassing some of these, provoking and provoked by others, is MAGA.

— George Packer, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
ByteDance’s legal team will now work on resolving and identifying legal issues surrounding the launch, while its engineering team will reportedly work on adding safeguards to stop the model from generating content that could provoke copyright disputes.

— Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 15 Mar. 2026