enabler

noun

en·​abler i-ˈnā-b(ə-)lər 

: one that enables another to achieve an end

especially : one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior (such as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by making it possible to avoid the consequences of such behavior

Did you know?

Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler

Enable has a number of senses, most of which are some variant on allowing someone (or something, such as enabling cookies on a computer) to do something. In the past several decades, enable has also started to take on a new associated sense in the field of addiction studies, where enabling is viewed as giving misguided support to a person with some substance-abuse issue. A person who facilitates the self-destructive behavior of another is referred to as an enabler.

Examples of enabler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Next year when January 6 insurrectionists and election saboteurs like Tina Peter are pardoned and election deniers and their silent enablers assume cabinet posts and leadership of powerful congressional committees, try not to be cynical. —Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024

To boost economic growth requires the broad enablers of growth, such as regulatory transparency, planning reform, energy, investing in a skilled workforce, among others. —London Business School, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

The politicians wanted to stop the billions of dollars flowing to Assad’s sanctioned regime, and also to his allies and enablers in Iran and Lebanon. —Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

My formative years were defined by consequence-free lies about weapons of mass destruction and collateralized debt obligations—the victims losing everything while the perpetrators and their enablers were re-elected or moved seamlessly on to lucrative speaking engagements and advisory boards. —Keenan Robbins, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

enabler

noun

en·​abler i-ˈnā-b(ə-)lər 

: one that enables another to achieve an end

especially : one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior (as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by helping that individual avoid the consequences of such behavior