abet

American  

[uh-bet] / əˈbɛt /

verb (used with object)

abetted, abetting

1. to encourage, support, or countenance by aid or approval, usually in wrongdoing.

   to abet a swindler; to abet a crime.

   Synonyms:

   promote, assist, aid, help

   Antonyms:

   discourage, hinder

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abet British  

/ əˈbɛt /

verb

1. (tr) to assist or encourage, esp in crime or wrongdoing

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Other Word Forms

• abetment noun
• abettal noun
• abetter noun
• unabetted adjective
• unabetting adjective

Etymology

Origin of abet

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English abette (source of Old French abeter, unless the latter, of Germanic origin, is the source of the Middle English), unattested Old English ābǣtan “to hound on,” equivalent to ā- a- ³ + bǣtan “to hunt, chase with dogs, pasture”; bait; akin to bite

Example Sentences

But the point is also made quite righteously that the resources behind sports betting, abetted by the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hastings has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aiding and abetting bribery in sports.

From The Wall Street Journal

And only then can banks and other traditional financial institutions manage, hold and exchange those assets with any degree of confidence that they aren’t indirectly abetting a crime.

From The Wall Street Journal

A climax was reached in San Francisco in November 1917, at what was dubbed the “Hindu-German Conspiracy Trial,” in which Indian and German nationals were prosecuted for plotting and abetting anarchist violence.

From The Wall Street Journal

Under common law, liability for “aiding and abetting” is reserved for parties that consciously induce or assist wrongdoing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• condone
• incite
• instigate
• provoke