ABET Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'abet' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of abet are foment , incite , and instigate . While all these words mean "to spur to action," abet implies both assisting and encouraging. // aiding and abetting the enemy

Q: When might 'foment' be a better fit than 'abet'?

The synonyms foment and abet are sometimes interchangeable, but foment implies persistence in goading. // fomenting rebellion

Q: When can 'incite' be used instead of 'abet'?

The words incite and abet can be used in similar contexts, but incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating. // inciting a riot

Q: In what contexts can 'instigate' take the place of 'abet'?

While in some cases nearly identical to abet , instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention. // instigated a conspiracy

abet

verb

ə-ˈbet

Definition of abet next

as in to provoke

to bring (something volatile or intense) into being the belief that violent entertainment abets violent behavior in the people who partake of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to aid

to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end car thieves are often unwittingly abetted by owners foolishly leaving the keys in the ignition

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb abet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of abet are foment, incite, and instigate. While all these words mean "to spur to action," abet implies both assisting and encouraging.

aiding and abetting the enemy

When might foment be a better fit than abet?

The synonyms foment and abet are sometimes interchangeable, but foment implies persistence in goading.

fomenting rebellion

When can incite be used instead of abet?

The words incite and abet can be used in similar contexts, but incite stresses a stirring up and urging on, and may or may not imply initiating.

inciting a riot

In what contexts can instigate take the place of abet?

While in some cases nearly identical to abet, instigate definitely implies responsibility for initiating another's action and often connotes underhandedness or evil intention.

instigated a conspiracy

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of abet It is abetted in this effort with the plush leather appointments, on-the-road silence thanks to the Pirelli tires, and an impressive Bowers & Wilkins 15-speaker audio system. —

Dan Carney, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024 She’s abetted by Tam’s superb portrayal, which movingly conveys Jing’s shifting moods. —

Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024 Comedian Pauly Shore has been accused of abetting a violent attack at The Comedy Store club a little over a year ago. —

Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024 Andrew’s bumbling nature is done no favors by the padded suits and troweled makeup that never really transform Sheen, but abet the actor’s semi-comic approach. —

Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abet

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abet

Verb

For family offices, there’s a parallel to be drawn: surveys and polls can provoke different emotions depending on how they’re framed and presented.

Francois Botha, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
That decision would provoke in turn Russian countermeasures, perhaps nuclear.

Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024