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
• excite
• galvanize
• detonate
• enliven
• invigorate
• activate
• quicken
• energize
• set
• 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
• settle
• bridle
• calm
• quiet
• still
• tranquilize

2

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

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

Prosecutors won a 77-year sentence on Wednesday for 27-year-old Kyle Spitze on charges of producing child pornography, possessing and accessing the material, and abetting the distribution of animal crush videos. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026

The White House has in recent days also pressured Israel’s leader to condemn Israeli settlers’ siege of Palestinians in the West Bank, which soldiers stand accused of abetting. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Any attempt by the co-trustees to do otherwise, and any attempt to aid or abet the co-trustees as such, would constitute a breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty and be in contempt of court. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Under Nevada law, someone who aids or abets a crime—or encourages, hires, commands, or otherwise induces another person to commit it—can be prosecuted as a principal. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 16 Aug. 2026