Abettor — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ə-ˈbet/

Meaning & Definition of Abettor

Abettor (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

Abettor (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one associated with another in wrongdoing

    "the man who drove the getaway car in the bank robbery was arrested as an aider and abettor"

    similar: accessory, accomplice, cohort, confederate
    related: collaborationist, collaborator, informant, informer, evidence, state's evidence, companion, comrade, crony, henchman, partner, conspirator, plotter, traitor, gangster, mobster, racketeer

  2. someone associated with another to give assistance or moral support

    "without all the neighborhood kids as abettors, I would never have gotten all my chickens back in their coop"

    similar: ally, backer, bedfellow, confederate, fellow traveler, supporter, sympathizer
    related: empathizer, well-wisher, accessory, accomplice, coalitionist, collaborationist, collaborator, adjunct, assistant, coadjutor, helper, associate, cohort, colleague, fellow, partner, buddy, chum, companion, comrade, confidant, crony, familiar, friend, intimate, mate, pal
    near: belittler, detractor, adversary, enemy, foe, opponent

Related Entry: Abet (verb)

Abet is a different word from Abettor. The synonyms below are for abet, not for abettor.

  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 Abettor

The most common words with a similar meaning to Abettor:

accessory, accomplice, cohort, confederate, ally, backer, bedfellow, fellow traveler, supporter, sympathizer

Related Words for Abettor

collaborationist, collaborator, informant, informer, evidence, state's evidence, companion, comrade, crony, henchman, partner, conspirator, plotter, traitor, gangster, mobster, racketeer, empathizer, well-wisher, coalitionist, adjunct, assistant, coadjutor, helper, associate, colleague, fellow, buddy, chum, confidant

Near Antonyms of Abettor

belittler, detractor, adversary, enemy, foe, opponent

Word Forms of Abettor

Inflections: abetted, abetting

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

Origin & Etymology of Abettor

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 Abettor

What does "Abettor" mean?

"Abettor" 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). It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Abettor"?

Other words for "Abettor" include accessory, accomplice, cohort, confederate, ally, backer, bedfellow and fellow traveler. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Abettor" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Abettor"?

There are 45 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Abettor". Common alternatives include accessory, accomplice, cohort, confederate, ally, backer, bedfellow, fellow traveler, supporter and sympathizer.

How do you use "Abettor" in a sentence?

Examples of "Abettor" in a sentence: "the man who drove the getaway car in the bank robbery was arrested as an aider and abettor"; "without all the neighborhood kids as abettors, I would never have gotten all my chickens back in their coop".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Abettor"?

"Abettor" is pronounced /ə-ˈbet/.

What is the origin of the word "Abettor"?

"Abettor" 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.

What is another word for "Abettor" meaning "one associated with another in wrongdoing"?

When "Abettor" (noun) means one associated with another in wrongdoing, synonyms include accessory, accomplice, cohort and confederate.