abet

verb

ə-ˈbet 

abetted; abetting

transitive verb

1

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

abet the commission of a crime

2

: to assist or support (someone) in the achievement of a purpose

The singer was abetted by a skillful accompanist.

especially : to assist, encourage, instigate, or support with criminal intent in attempting or carrying out a crime

—often used in the phrase aid and abet

accused of aiding and abetting a criminal

abetment

ə-ˈbet-mənt 

noun

abettor noun

or less commonly abetter

ə-ˈbe-tər 

Synonyms

• provoke
• promote
• encourage

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of abet in a Sentence

She abetted the thief in his getaway.

Did he abet the commission of a crime?

Their actions were shown to abet terrorism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Special prosecutors investigating the country’s martial law crisis also indicted on Friday former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo who was appointed by Yoon on charges of abetting insurrection and committing perjury, a prosecution spokesperson said. —CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025

The book reveals a network of drug trafficking conspiracies that corrupt police abetted and that the military covered up. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025

The book details the investigation into a string of unsolved killings in and around the special operations base, revealing a network of narco-trafficking conspiracies that corrupt police abetted and the military covered up. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025

Two other charges in the case — abetting second-degree robbery and aiding and abetting threats of violence — were dismissed as part of a plea agreement, which also included the length of his prison term. —Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 22 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abetten, borrowed from Anglo-French abeter, from a-, prefix in transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + beter "to harass (a bear with dogs), bait," borrowed from Old Low Franconian *bētan; akin to Old English bǣtan "to set upon (with animals), bait" — more at bait entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for abet

• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette
• cadet

Kids Definition

abet

verb

ə-ˈbet 

abetted; abetting

: to actively encourage or aid

abetment

-mənt 

noun

abettor noun

also abetter

-ˈbet-ər 

Legal Definition

abet

transitive verb

ə-ˈbet 

abetted; abetting

: to assist, encourage, instigate, or support with criminal intent in attempting or carrying out a crime

—often used in the phrase aid and abet

abetment noun

abettor noun

also abetter

ə-ˈbe-tər