Abetment — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ə-ˈbet/

Meaning & Definition of Abetment

Abetment (verb)

  1. to actively second and encourage (something, such as an activity or plan)
  2. to assist or support (someone) in the achievement of a purpose; especially, to assist, encourage, instigate, or support with criminal intent in attempting or carrying out a crime —often used in the phrase aid and abet

Abetment (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an act or instance of helping

    "the proposed government bailout of the company is being decried as an ill-advised abetment of managerial ineptitude"

    similar: aid, assist, assistance, backing, boost, hand, help, helping hand, leg up, lift, support
    related: advancement, encouragement, facilitation, forwarding, furtherance, furthering, nurturance, benefaction, patronage, promotion, sponsorship, advice, care, counsel, guidance, mentoring, attendance, attention, hand-holding, service, beneficence, charity, favor, kindness, philanthropy, assuagement, palliation, relief, succor
    opposite: hindrance
    near: constraint, frustration, inhibition, interference, obstruction, repression, restraint, deterrence, discouragement

Related Entry: Abet (verb)

Abet is a different word from Abetment. The synonyms below are for abet, not for abetment.

  1. to bring (something volatile or intense) into being

    "the belief that violent entertainment abets violent behavior in the people who partake of it"

    similar: brew, ferment, foment, incite, instigate, pick, provoke, raise, stir (up), whip (up), set in motion
    related: advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, sow, stimulate, detonate, set, set off, trigger, excite, galvanize, inflame, inspire, motivate, rouse, activate, energize, enliven, fire, invigorate, jazz (up), liven (up), pep (up), quicken, vitalize
    near: bridle, check, constrain, curb, discourage, hold, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain, tame, allay, calm, quiet, settle, soothe, still, subdue, tranquilize

  2. 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"

    similar: aid, assist, back, backstop, help, prop (up), support, bear a hand, to stand one in good stead
    related: advance, ease, facilitate, forward, foster, further, launch, champion, endorse, patronize, promote, sponsor, attend, care (for), comfort, minister (to), succor, sustain, bolster, boost, buttress, reinforce, advise, counsel, guide, mentor, nurture, bail out, deliver, rescue, save, embolden, encourage, hearten, benefit, favor, oblige, profit, serve
    opposite: hinder
    near: balk, bar, block, constrain, hamper, handicap, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, restrain, strangle, baffle, foil, frustrate, inconvenience, interfere, oppose, sabotage, thwart, desert, disappoint, fail, let down, discourage, dishearten, repress, retard, stifle, straiten, stunt, damage, harm, hurt, injure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Abetment

The most common words with a similar meaning to Abetment:

aid, assist, assistance, backing, boost, hand, help, helping hand, leg up, lift, support

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Abetment

Words with the opposite meaning of Abetment:

hindrance

Related Words for Abetment

advancement, encouragement, facilitation, forwarding, furtherance, furthering, nurturance, benefaction, patronage, promotion, sponsorship, advice, care, counsel, guidance, mentoring, attendance, attention, hand-holding, service, beneficence, charity, favor, kindness, philanthropy, assuagement, palliation, relief, succor

Near Antonyms of Abetment

constraint, frustration, inhibition, interference, obstruction, repression, restraint, deterrence, discouragement

Word Forms of Abetment

Inflections: abetted, abetting

Derived words: abetment (noun), abettor (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Abetment

Middle English abetten, borrowed from Anglo-French abeter, from a-, prefix in transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + beter "to harass (a bear with dogs), bait," borrowed from Old Low Franconian *bētan; akin to Old English bǣtan "to set upon (with animals), bait" bait:1

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Abetment

What does "Abetment" mean?

"Abetment" means to actively second and encourage (something, such as an activity or plan). As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to actively second and encourage (something, such as an activity or plan).

What is another word for "Abetment"?

Other words for "Abetment" include aid, assist, assistance, backing, boost, hand, help and helping hand. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Abetment" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Abetment"?

There are 40 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Abetment". Common alternatives include aid, assist, assistance, backing, boost, hand, help, helping hand, leg up and lift.

What is the opposite of "Abetment"?

Antonyms of "Abetment" include hindrance. Near antonyms include constraint, frustration, inhibition and interference.

How do you use "Abetment" in a sentence?

Examples of "Abetment" in a sentence: "the proposed government bailout of the company is being decried as an ill-advised abetment of managerial ineptitude".

Is "Abetment" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Abetment" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Abetment"?

"Abetment" is pronounced /ə-ˈbet/.

What is the origin of the word "Abetment"?

"Abetment" comes from Middle English abetten, borrowed from Anglo-French abeter, from a-, prefix in transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + beter "to harass (a bear with dogs), bait," borrowed from Old Low Franconian *bētan; akin to Old English bǣtan "to set upon (with animals), bait" bait:1. First known use: 14th century.