abetter

Partner in wrongdoing

An abetter is someone who encourages or assists another person in doing something, typically something wrong or illegal.

The word carries legal weight in phrases like aiding and abetting, where it describes someone who helps commit a crime without necessarily performing the act themselves.

Also spelled abettor.

legal

accomplice

Crime's willing helper

accessorySupplementary addition
co-conspiratorPartner in wrongdoing
enablerOne who facilitates harmful behavior

facilitator · aider · collaborator · confederate · participant · defendant · indictment · criminal · liability · prosecution

support

encourager

One who heartens others

backerFinancial supporter
supporterOne who backs another
helperOne who aids another

promoter · advocate · ally · sponsor · patron · champion · booster · assistant · benefactor · endorser

instigation

inciter

One who provokes action

instigatorOne who provokes action
provokerOne who incites
agitatorOne who foments discord

catalyst · stirrer · troublemaker · fomenter · rabble-rouser · provocateur · manipulator · influence · persuader · tempter

Opposites

role in wrongdoing

abettermastermind

Scheme's chief planner

ringleader · principal · perpetrator · leader · instigator

support vs. opposition

abetterobstructor

One who blocks progress

hinderer · preventer · antagonist · opposer · blocker

moral stance toward wrongdoing

abetterwhistleblower

Insider who reports misconduct

informer · informant · denouncer · exposer · reporter

Phrases

aiding and abettingHelping another commit crime
aided and abettedHelped with wrongdoing

Family

abettor, abetting, abetted, abettors, abetters

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Rated G