enabler
noun
en·abler
| \ i-ˈnā-blər
, -bᵊl-ər\
, -bᵊl-ər\
Definition of enabler
: one that enables another to achieve an end
especially
: one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior (such as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by making it possible to avoid the consequences of such behavior
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Examples of enabler in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There was a whole circuit of enablers around him, adults who permitted this to go on. — Amy Julia Harris, BostonGlobe.com, "Woman Who Says Epstein Groomed Her for Sex at 14 Sues His Estate," 14 Aug. 2019 Copious examples of how this president and his Republican enablers are systematically destroying the moral and ethical fiber of our country have not worked. — Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, "Letter: Nancy Pelosi, be a true leader in these difficult times," 1 Aug. 2019 That etiquette is named as the enabler in cases such as this — and a lot worse ones — is unjust. — Judith Martin, Washington Post, "Miss Manners: Etiquette doesn’t mean accepting unwanted embraces," 25 June 2019 Doctors must be viewed as healers, not as enablers and practitioners of eugenics and, more specifically, of overt racial discrimination, gender discrimination, and disability discrimination. — Bruce Schreiner, The Seattle Times, "Judge cautions lawyers to watch language in abortion case," 25 Mar. 2019 In other words, new construction has to be crammed into parcels already developed — or under-developed, according to real estate interests and their enablers in positions of compliant civic authority, not to mention pressure from the state. — John Horgan, The Mercury News, "Horgan: Get ready for the development avalanche to continue," 18 July 2019 But Trump’s scribbling enablers aside, Democratic voters don’t seem to mind. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "How Old is Too Old to Be President?," 2 July 2019 During his heyday in the go-go 1980s and still-flush ’90s, Mr. Zeffirelli found willing enablers at the Met. — New York Times, "Franco Zeffirelli Made Subtle, Striking Opera. Until He Exploded.," 17 June 2019 McConnell has been Trump's chief enabler since Trump became the Republican nominee, often refusing to call him out in no uncertain terms when the president has erred. — Joseph Gerth, The Courier-Journal, "Amy McGrath fired first-day missile at her own foot, not at Mitch McConnell," 11 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enabler.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for enabler
enabler
noun
en·abler
| \ i-ˈnā-b(ə-)lər
\
\
Medical Definition of enabler
: one that enables another to achieve an end
especially
: one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior (as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by helping that individual avoid the consequences of such behavior