abettors

/əˈbɛtərz/

NOUN

1. People who encourage or assist wrongdoing

People who incite, instigate, encourage, or assist another person in committing an offense or wrongful act.

People who knowingly help, support, or participate in the commission of a crime or illegal activity.

The criminal organization relied on a network of secretive abettors to execute its illicit activities.
Law enforcement worked tirelessly to dismantle the operations of known abettors within the smuggling ring.
The court sought to hold the identified abettors accountable for their roles in the money laundering scheme.

People who urge, influence, or encourage others to engage in harmful, unlawful, or unethical behavior.

The investigation revealed several abettors who had encouraged the group to engage in violent activities.
The authorities sought to identify the abettors behind the campaign of intimidation.

NOUN

People who support, promote, or stand behind a person, group, cause, or undertaking.

People who provide backing, assistance, cooperation, or encouragement to someone or something they support.

People who maintain close personal or social associations with others, often through friendship, shared interests, or common activities.

The abettors gathered with their longtime associates to discuss the group's plans.
The leader relied on a close circle of trusted abettors and companions.