abet

verb \ə-ˈbet\

: to help, encourage, or support someone in a criminal act

abet·tedabet·ting

Full Definition of ABET

transitive verb

: to actively second and encourage (as an activity or plan)

: to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose

— abet·ment \-mənt\ noun

— abet·tor also abet·ter \ə-ˈbe-tər\ noun

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Origin of ABET

Middle English abetten, from Anglo-French abeter, from a- (from Latin ad-) + beter to bait, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English bǣtan to bait

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ABET

Synonyms: incite, brew, ferment, foment, instigate, pick, provoke, raise, stir (up), whip (up)

Antonyms: hinder

Synonym Discussion of ABET

incite, instigate, abet, foment mean to spur to action. incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating <inciting a riot>. instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention <instigated a conspiracy>. abet implies both assisting and encouraging <aiding and abetting the enemy>. foment implies persistence in goading <fomenting rebellion>.

Rhymes with ABET

aigrette, all wet, backset, baguette, banquette, barbette, barquette, barrette, beget, beset, blanquette, boneset, brevet, briquette, brochette, brunet, burette, burnet, cadet, cassette, cermet, Colette, coquet, coquette, cornet, corselet, corvette, coset, courgette, croquette, curette, curvet, cuvette, dinette, dip net, diskette, dragnet, duet, egret, fan-jet, fishnet, fly net, forget, gazette, georgette, Gillette, gillnet, gill net, godet, grisette, handset, hard-set, headset, ink-jet, inlet, inset, jet set, Juliet, kismet, layette, life net, lorgnette, lunette, maquette, Marquette, mind-set, mist net, moonset, moquette, motet, musette, nerve net, noisette, nonet, nymphet, octet, offset, onset, outlet, outset, paillette, pallette, palmette, pipette, piquet, planchette, pound net, poussette, preset, quartet, quickset, quintet, raclette, ramet, ramjet, regret, reset, revet, rocket, roomette, rosette, roulette, saw set, septet, sestet, sextet, sharp-set, soubrette, spinet, stage set, stylet, sublet, subset, sunset, syrette, tea set, thickset, Tibet, toilette, tonette, trijet, twinset, typeset, Undset, unset, upset, vedette, vignette, well-set

Learn More About ABET

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "abet"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "abet"

Nglish: Translation of "abet" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "abet" for Arabic speakers

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