abet

Pronunciation: verb. Synonyms: back, collude with, connive with

verb

Difficulty: intermediate

Definition of abet

To actively support, encourage, or assist someone in the commission of a wrongdoing, particularly a criminal or unethical act.

Origin of abet

Language of origin: Old French

Root word: abeter

Original meaning: to incite, bait, or urge on

How it evolved: The term originally referred to baiting or provoking animals but later came to signify encouraging or assisting human actions, particularly in wrongdoing.

Derived from Old French 'abeter', meaning 'to incite or bait', the word evolved to signify encouragement, often in a negative sense.

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember abet

Think of 'abet' as 'a bet'—if you place a bet on someone doing something wrong, you're encouraging or supporting their actions.

Synonyms for abet

Antonyms of abet

abet in a Sentence

  1. The lawyer was accused of attempting to abet his client's fraudulent activities.
  2. Her decision to abet the rebellious group led to severe consequences when their plot was uncovered.
  3. The company was fined heavily for policies that were seen to abet environmental violations.

abet in Literature & Culture

The word 'abet' is often used in legal or formal contexts, particularly in discussions about criminal law where it refers to aiding and abetting crimes. It also appears frequently in historical and political discussions about complicity.

Usage Notes

The word 'abet' is almost exclusively used in the context of wrongdoing or unethical actions, and typically implies active participation or encouragement rather than mere passive awareness.

Why abet Matters for GRE & SAT

Test-takers may encounter 'abet' in reading comprehension or sentence equivalence questions, particularly in passages discussing law, ethics, or criminal behavior.

Word Family

abetment (noun)
The act of encouraging or assisting someone in wrongdoing.
abetter (noun)
A person who assists or encourages someone in wrongdoing.
abettor (noun)
Another spelling of 'abetter'; an accomplice in wrongdoing.

Did You Know?

  • The word 'abet' is closely related to the term 'bait', as they both share roots in the idea of provoking or luring something.
  • In Shakespeare's plays, the word 'abet' was often used in its older sense of 'incite' or 'provoke'.
  • Historically, 'abet' was sometimes used in a more neutral sense to mean 'encourage' or 'support', without any negative connotation.

Related Words

More Vocabulary Words Starting with A

  • abate — decrease in intensity; lessen
  • aberrant — deviating from what is normal or expected
  • aberration — A departure from what is normal or expected
  • abeyance — suspension; temporary suppression
  • abhor — detest or regard with deep hatred
  • abide — tolerate, follow, or accept
  • abject — most unfortunate or miserable
  • abjure — strongly reject (an idea); forgo
  • abound — [{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"text":"Plenty."}]}]
  • abrasive — overly aggressive and causing irritation