abet

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /əˈbɛt/

Verb

abet (abets, present participle abetting; past and past participle abetted)

1. (obsolete, transitive) To urge on, stimulate (a person to do) something desirable. [from end of 14th century to early 17th century]
2. (transitive) To incite; to assist or encourage by aid or countenance in crime. [from c. 1350-1470]
   • 2017 September 27, David Browne, "Hugh Hefner, 'Playboy' Founder, Dead at 91 ↗," Rolling Stone

     By the early Seventies, Playboy was selling seven million copies a month and Hefner's globe-trotting lifestyle was abetted by his private jet, the Big Bunny, that contained a circular bed, an inside disco and a wet bar.

3. (transitive, archaic) To support, countenance, maintain, uphold, or aid (any good cause, opinion, or action); to maintain. [from late 16th century]
4. (obsolete) To back up one's forecast of a doubtful issue, by staking money, etc., to bet.

Synonyms

• (to instigate or encourage by aid or countenance) incite, instigate, set on, egg on, foment, advocate, countenance, encourage, second, uphold, aid, assist, support, sustain, back, connive at, promote, sanction, advocate, embolden, favor, cooperate with

Antonyms

• baffle
• confound
• contradict
• counteract
• denounce
• deter
• disapprove
• disconcert
• discourage
• dissuade
• expose
• frustrate
• hinder
• impede
• obstruct
• thwart

Translations

• French: encourager
• German: ermutigen, aufhetzen, anstiften
• Italian: favoreggiare, incoraggiare, istigare
• Portuguese: incitar, instigar
• Russian: подстрека́ть
• Spanish: incitar

Translations

• German: stützen, helfen
• Italian: sostenere
• Portuguese: assistir, ajudar
• Russian: подде́рживать
• Spanish: ayudar

Noun

abet (plural abets)

1. (obsolete) Fraud or cunning. [mid-12th century to mid-14th century]
2. (obsolete) An act of abetting; of helping; of giving aid. [from c. 1350-1470]

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