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
Recent Examples on the Web
Amid a world striving for sustainability, the convergence of AI and IoT is becoming a key enabler, helping industries optimize resources, cut emissions and build intelligent systems.
—
Nikhil Jain, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
The radicalization of these individuals, the study found, often follows a pattern: personal and political grievances, online affinity with extremist sympathizers, identification of an enabler, broadcasting of intent and a final triggering event.
—Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 3 June 2025
This term, Trump is surrounded entirely by enablers.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 June 2025
Amazon has gone deep on infrastructure and developer tools through AWS to position itself as the AI enabler.
—Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for enabler
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Nikhil Jain, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
The radicalization of these individuals, the study found, often follows a pattern: personal and political grievances, online affinity with extremist sympathizers, identification of an enabler, broadcasting of intent and a final triggering event.
—Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 3 June 2025
This term, Trump is surrounded entirely by enablers.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 June 2025
Amazon has gone deep on infrastructure and developer tools through AWS to position itself as the AI enabler.
—Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 29 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 8 Jun. 2025.
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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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