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
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
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
-
What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The aroma of coffee brewing reliably provokes desire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sleep aids all work to help relax your body and improve your sleep in different ways.—
Kirstyn Hill,
Health,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The nsoro Foundation, which aids youths aging out of foster homes, and the Mighty Millie Foundation, which provides resources in the fight against childhood cancer.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Soaking causes the corms to swell, potentially doubling their size, which ensures faster sprouting, promotes strong root development, and leads to earlier blooms.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Scientific studies have also shown that proximity to the ocean promotes health, and some research even suggests that coastal living increases longevity.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The exercise led, among other things, to the creation of an agent on Upwork’s platform, called Uma, which assists users with tasks from writing job descriptions to conducting interviews.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
When using a vehicle with level 2 automation, the driver must remain in control and attentive while the system assists with braking, acceleration or steering.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Overwatering lawns encourages moss growth, and shallow daily watering leaves grasses with shallow root systems.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Kepner is passionate about accountability and service journalism and encourages anyone to reach out to her to tell their story or share a tip.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sam McMurray helps maintain the ecology of the river and lake, and teaches guests to fish, but the key man is Mike Hurd, expert fly-fisherman, keen golfer, and tourist guide.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
-
This helps maintain the orientation of both the robot and the satellite during servicing tasks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abets. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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