abet

abet

verb \ə-ˈbet\

abet·tedabet·ting

Definition of ABET

transitive verb

1

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

2

: to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose

— abet·ment \-mənt\ noun

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

Examples of ABET

1. She abetted the thief in his getaway.
2. Did he abet the commission of a crime?
3. Their actions were shown to abet terrorism.

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

Related Words: advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate; detonate, set, set off, trigger; excite, galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, motivate, rouse; activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, stimulate, vitalize

Near Antonyms: bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame; allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at incite

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