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What is the difference between instigate and abet?

instigate | abet | Synonyms |

Abet is a synonym of instigate.



As verbs the difference between instigate and abet

is that instigate is to goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite while abet is to urge on, stimulate (a person to do) something desirable.

As a noun abet is

fraud or cunning.

instigate

English

(Webster 1913)

Verb

(instigat)
  • To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite.
    • He hath only instigated his blackest agents to the very extent of their malignity. -Bp. Warburton.

    Usage notes

    Commonly used with reference to evil actions; as, to instigate one to a crime.

    Synonyms

    * (to goad or urge forward): animate, encourage, impel, incite, provoke, spur, stimulate, tempt, urge

    Antonyms

    * (to goad or urge forward): halt, prevent, stop

    Derived terms

    * instigation * instigator

    External links

    * * ----

    abet

    English

    Verb

    (abett)
  • (obsolete) To urge on, stimulate (a person to do) something desirable.
  • To incite; to assist or encourage by aid or countenance in crime.
  • * 1823 , Ringan Gilhaize, The covenanters, by the author of Annals of the parish :
    • Those who would exalt themselves by abetting the strength of the Godless, and the wrength of the oppressors.
  • (archaic) To support, countenance, maintain, uphold, or aid any good cause, opinion, or action; to maintain.
  • * 1835 , Jeremy Taylor, George Rust, The whole works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor :
    • Our duty is urged, and our confidence abetted .
  • (obsolete) To back up one's forecast of a doubtful issue, by staking money, etc., to bet.

    • Quotations

    * (English Citations of "abet")

    Synonyms

    * (to instigate or encourage by aid or countenance) incite, instigate, set on, egg on, foment, advocate, countenance, encourage, second, uphold, aid, assist, support, sustain, back, connive at.

    Derived terms

    * aid and abet * abetment * abettal * abetter, abettor

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) Fraud or cunning.
  • (obsolete) An act of abetting; of helping; of giving aid.

    • Anagrams

    * * *

    References

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