1
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
2
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abet
Being successful in America, according to Part II, inherently means becoming the bad guy, and Francis Ford Coppola mourns that fact, abetted by arguably Pacino’s finest, most sorrowful performance as a man who sells every bit of his soul to maintain his power.
—
Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
This, too, is abetted by supporters — critics would deride them as useful idiots — who downplay or else rationalize questionable decision-making as five-dimensional chess.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
For the small-scale paintings, being mysterious and also chic are only abetting sales.
—Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Related Articles Washington University in St. Louis has quietly opened its doors to Jewish students leaving uncomfortable campuses
At the same time, the Trump administration has escalated pressure on pro-Palestinian protesters and schools seen as abetting them.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abet
Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
This, too, is abetted by supporters — critics would deride them as useful idiots — who downplay or else rationalize questionable decision-making as five-dimensional chess.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
For the small-scale paintings, being mysterious and also chic are only abetting sales.
—Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Related Articles Washington University in St. Louis has quietly opened its doors to Jewish students leaving uncomfortable campuses
At the same time, the Trump administration has escalated pressure on pro-Palestinian protesters and schools seen as abetting them.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abet
Verb
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Brit, still processing, clocks that Kenya was angling for a full-on meltdown, trying to provoke her into playing the aggressor.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Tariffs essentially act as an indirect tax on consumers, provoke retaliatory measures, drive inflation higher, and destabilize financial markets.—
Christian Catalini,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The investigation was aided by a confidential informant — one of Gonzalez’s former friends who got busted, according to court records.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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In the wake of that visit, Van Hollen pressed for improved access for humanitarian organizations trying to aid Palestinians.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Infielder David Villar was promoted from Triple-A Sacramento to take his place.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
-
This independence is intended to allow the Fed to focus on its dual mandate: promoting maximum employment and maintaining stable prices.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Aleksander Barkov assists on both Reinhart goals to increase his total to 51 on the season.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2025
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Doctor Who historians know Marsh for her portrayal of Sara Kingdom, who ably assists William Hartnell’s Doctor in his fight against the mutant Daleks, on the third season of the BBC sci-fi series in 1965-66.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The goal of the tax subsidies was to encourage more Americans to save for retirement.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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This is achieved through proper irrigation, mowing, and fertilization to encourage healthy plant development.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Please help show my baby that other badass women are out there!—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2025
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For example, whenever one of the kids had a spelling bee, everyone in the car would help recite the words.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abet. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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