Synonyms of abet

abet

verb

ə-ˈbet 

1

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

• provoke
• promote
• encourage
• raise
• incite
• foment
• instigate
• trigger
• stimulate
• stir (up)
• set in motion
• whip (up)
• cultivate
• pick
• ferment
• brew
• inspire
• foster
• forward
• motivate
• further
• nurture
• advance
• nourish
• rouse
• sow
• set off
• inflame
• galvanize
• detonate
• excite
• invigorate
• enliven
• quicken
• activate
• energize
• set
• enflame
• jazz (up)
• vitalize
• fire
• liven (up)
• pep (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restrain
• regulate
• discourage
• inhibit
• check
• constrain
• hold
• curb
• tame
• rein (in)
• allay
• subdue
• soothe
• bridle
• settle
• calm
• still
• quiet
• tranquillize
• tranquilize

2

as in to aid

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

• aid
• assist
• help
• support
• facilitate
• reinforce
• promote
• encourage
• endorse
• back
• prop (up)
• save
• bolster
• bear a hand
• indorse
• guide
• backstop
• forward
• foster
• sponsor
• succor
• further
• comfort
• patronize
• sustain
• to stand one in good stead
• benefit
• rescue
• serve
• attend
• launch
• advance
• ease
• advise
• minister (to)
• champion
• mentor
• buttress
• reenforce
• nurture
• counsel
• profit
• hearten
• embolden
• care (for)
• oblige
• boost
• favor
• bail out
• deliver

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hinder
• restrain
• impede
• inhibit
• obstruct
• interfere
• oppose
• constrain
• thwart
• hamper
• balk
• block
• bar
• frustrate
• strangle
• hold back
• sabotage
• fail
• discourage
• handicap
• baffle
• foil
• disappoint
• inconvenience
• let down
• desert
• retard
• repress
• stifle
• injure
• hurt
• harm
• damage
• dishearten
• stunt
• straiten

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

Recent Examples of abet

Pacific Beach’s single-family housing character is under siege by developers abetted by a handful of politicians, according to Neighbors for a Better California Chair Marcella Bothwell. —Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025

Hadi stages the action here and throughout the movie with fluent energy, abetted by the agile camerawork of Tudor Vladimir Panduru (My Happy Family, Graduation). —Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025

Twenty years of occupation of Southern Lebanon led to high Israeli and Lebanese casualties and created the conditions that abetted Hezbollah’s rise to power. —Andrew P. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2025

The symbiosis of the Trump-Newsom vaudeville act is truly remarkable, each abetting the other’s desire to enhance his image as a warrior for moral righteousness. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 June 2025