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
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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
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As satellite constellations expand and NTN technology matures, truly global, high-speed, low-latency internet access is becoming a reality and a key enabler to future edge AI use cases.
—
Iri Trashanki, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Expanding the value of our Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan affiliation, a key enabler of our mission to make health care work better for all Vermonters.
—Dan D'ambrosio, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Europe must quickly find a way of beefing up its stocks of enablers, the white paper said.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
Under the plan, gang members and their enablers would face criminal sanctions, including possible imprisonment in El Salvador’s maximum-security prison, a senior administration official told the Herald at the time.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 May 2025
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Iri Trashanki, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Expanding the value of our Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan affiliation, a key enabler of our mission to make health care work better for all Vermonters.
—Dan D'ambrosio, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Europe must quickly find a way of beefing up its stocks of enablers, the white paper said.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
Under the plan, gang members and their enablers would face criminal sanctions, including possible imprisonment in El Salvador’s maximum-security prison, a senior administration official told the Herald at the time.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for enabler
Cite this Entry
“Enabler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enabler. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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