Synonyms of abets

abets

verb

present tense third-person singular of abet

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

• provokes
• promotes
• encourages
• incites
• foments
• raises
• triggers
• instigates
• stimulates
• cultivates
• ferments
• whips (up)
• sets in motion
• stirs (up)
• picks
• fosters
• furthers
• inspires
• nurtures
• brews
• motivates
• nourishes
• advances
• rouses
• inflames
• forwards
• excites
• detonates
• activates
• sows
• sets off
• energizes
• invigorates
• quickens
• enlivens
• vitalizes
• galvanizes
• sets
• fires
• peps (up)
• livens (up)
• jazzes (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inhibits
• discourages
• regulates
• restrains
• holds
• constrains
• curbs
• checks
• reins (in)
• tames
• soothes
• subdues
• calms
• quiets
• bridles
• settles
• allays
• stills
• tranquilizes

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

• aids
• assists
• helps
• supports
• reinforces
• facilitates
• promotes
• encourages
• endorses
• backs
• props (up)
• fosters
• saves
• furthers
• bolsters
• guides
• backstops
• bears a hand
• patronizes
• sustains
• attends
• sponsors
• rescues
• stands one in good stead
• serves
• eases
• comforts
• launches
• forwards
• ministers (to)
• advances
• nurtures
• champions
• advises
• counsels
• obliges
• succors
• emboldens
• benefits
• boosts
• buttresses
• cares (for)
• favors
• heartens
• profits
• mentors
• delivers
• bails out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hinders
• inhibits
• impedes
• obstructs
• restrains
• opposes
• interferes
• blocks
• hampers
• constrains
• thwarts
• frustrates
• strangles
• handicaps
• balks
• sabotages
• discourages
• fails
• bars
• baffles
• holds back
• foils
• disappoints
• inconveniences
• represses
• retards
• deserts
• stifles
• lets down
• injures
• harms
• hurts
• damages
• disheartens
• stunts
• straitens

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abets

Under Nevada law, a person who aids or abets a murder can be held criminally responsible for the killing. — Chloe Melas, NBC news, 1 Sep. 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

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