abettor
Partner in wrongdoing
An abettor is someone who encourages, assists, or supports another person in wrongdoing.
The term appears most often in legal contexts: charged as an abettor to the crime.
An abettor need not participate directly—providing help, encouragement, or cover is enough.
Also spelled abetter.
One who schemes secretly
- schemerCrafty, deceitful planner
- plotterMachinator or diagram machine
- intriguerOne who schemes secretly
- machinatorOne who schemes deviously
conspirator · cabalist · colluder · accomplice · double-dealer
Joint schemer
- confederateAllied partner in schemes
- accessorySupplementary addition
- collaboratorOne who works jointly
- partnerOne who shares activity
henchman · associate · conspirator · cohort · comrade · sidekick · fellow · consort
Neutral process guide
- helperOne who aids another
- assistantOne who aids another
- supporterOne who backs another
- backerFinancial supporter
sponsor · patron · benefactor · advocate · promoter · financier · funder · bankroller
One who provokes action
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
- agitatorOne who foments discord
- encouragerOne who heartens others
- motivatorSomething prompting action
exhorter · inflamer · firebrand · rabble-rouser · catalyst · prompter · goader · prodder
conniver
One who schemes secretly
- schemerCrafty, deceitful planner
- plotterMachinator or diagram machine
- intriguerOne who schemes secretly
machinator · conspirator · cabalist · colluder · accomplice · double-dealer
coconspirator
Joint schemer
- confederateAllied partner in schemes
- accessorySupplementary addition
- collaboratorOne who works jointly
partner · henchman · associate · conspirator · cohort · comrade · sidekick · fellow · consort · adjutant
facilitator
Neutral process guide
backer · sponsor · patron · benefactor · advocate · promoter · financier · funder · bankroller · underwriter
instigator
One who provokes action
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
- agitatorOne who foments discord
- encouragerOne who heartens others
motivator · exhorter · inflamer · firebrand · rabble-rouser · catalyst · prompter · goader · prodder · urger
- helpersnurse, helper, volunteer, aide, assistant
- accomplicesaccomplice, accessory, co-conspirator, collaborator, conspirator
- criminal complicityaccomplice, accessory, co-conspirator, complicity, conspirator
- criminalsmurderer, thief, burglar, criminal, killer
- suspectssuspect, accused, prime suspect, person of interest, alleged
- inchoate crimesattempt, conspiracy, solicitation, incitement, criminal conspiracy
abettoropponent
One who contends against
adversary · antagonist · enemy · foe · obstructor
abettorwhistleblower
Insider who reports misconduct
detector · informant · preventer · law enforcer · investigator
abettordissuader
One who advises against
discourager · restrainer · naysayer · voice of reason · cautioner
- aiding and abettingHelping another commit crime
- aided and abettedHelped with wrongdoing