1
as in provokes
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aids
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abets
Under Florida law, anyone who aids, abets or counsels someone in the commission of a crime may be considered a principal in the first degree.
—
Julia Shapero, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
The speed at which the system adjudicates cases benefits deserving victims but also abets fraud.
—Ike Brannon, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
As Abel-Fattah repeatedly told her censors, all her previous criticism has been directed at either the state of Israel, or the political ideology that abets genocide.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
And yet his father, Martin Jarvis (Jonathan Banks), the original magnate, reluctantly, almost as penance for unleashing this child unto the world, abets the sociopathy of his son.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Julia Shapero, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
The speed at which the system adjudicates cases benefits deserving victims but also abets fraud.
—Ike Brannon, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
As Abel-Fattah repeatedly told her censors, all her previous criticism has been directed at either the state of Israel, or the political ideology that abets genocide.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
And yet his father, Martin Jarvis (Jonathan Banks), the original magnate, reluctantly, almost as penance for unleashing this child unto the world, abets the sociopathy of his son.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abets
Verb
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Likewise, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently warned that the bond market will ultimately prove to be the factor that provokes some action from DC when investors begin to demand higher premiums to continue buying debt.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
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But the question of what is true or not is futile, even if Calle deliberately provokes this curiosity.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Regular watering also aids nutrient uptake, prevents water stress that can stall development, and results in a bigger harvest.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
23 May 2026
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The Tea3 Foundation aids children, military members and animals.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Kristin Droege, executive director of Turn the Page KC, a nonprofit agency that promotes early literacy in Kansas City, said the program’s loss of state funding will hurt the families who took advantage of the free books and other services.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
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Hitting the delete, unsubscribe and hide buttons can be natural reactions in a world that promotes consumerism.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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This assists you in understanding others during in-person conversations.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2026
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That’s why Julie Melnick, founder of SkySquad, which assists at the check-in counter all the way to the luggage carousel, advises senior clients to pack a blanket.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Each line encourages a body to shift when uttered or even when read silently to oneself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
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To her daughter, 8-year-old Hazel (Nola Wallace), Paula is the fun parent, a mom who encourages ice cream for dinner, embraces cursing, enthusiastically participates in TikTok dances, and even coaches her daughter’s youth soccer team.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
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But a comment made by deputy commissioner Bill Daly during the annual State of the NHL news conference with commissioner Gary Bettman on Tuesday helps illustrate why the issue remains anything but easy for many with a stake in tournaments such as the 2028 World Cup.—
Chris Johnston,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
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The distinction between smaller personal use versus high commercial volume is significant, and reporting catches helps maintain and track marine-life population.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abets. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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