abet

[uh-bet]

verb (used with object)

abetted, abetting 

1. to encourage, support, or countenance by aid or approval, usually in wrongdoing.

   to abet a swindler; to abet a crime.

   Synonyms: promote, assist, aid, help
   Antonyms: discourage, hinder

abet

/ əˈbɛt /

verb

1. (tr) to assist or encourage, esp in crime or wrongdoing

Other Word Forms

• abetment noun
• abettal noun
• unabetted adjective
• unabetting adjective
• abetter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abet¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English abette (source of Old French abeter, unless the latter, of Germanic origin, is the source of the Middle English), unattested Old English ābǣtan “to hound on,” equivalent to ā- a- ³ + bǣtan “to hunt, chase with dogs, pasture”; bait; akin to bite

Word History and Origins

Origin of abet¹

C14: from Old French abeter to lure on, entice, from beter to bait

Example Sentences

By allowing U.S. users to trade with these jurisdictions, the plea agreement says Binance abetted sanctions violations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

We’ve seen stem cell hype regurgitated by otherwise respectable news organizations, abetted by high-profile athletes attesting to miracle cures of their musculoskeletal ailments.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

American allies are equally victims of China’s mercantilism, and they don’t like how it’s menacing the neighborhood and abetting Russia’s grinding war in Ukraine.

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The real crash happened that year, after the Smoot-Hawley tariffs and a series of bank failures, abetted by bad Federal Reserve policy, sent the economy and the market into a tailspin.

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At a trial this summer, the jury found that Geragos aided and abetted Avenatti and ultimately breached his duties as a lawyer, but the panel determined that Franklin was not substantially harmed by Geragos.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• condone 
• incite 
• instigate 
• provoke