enabler

noun

en·​abler i-ˈnā-b(ə-)lər 

: 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

Did you know?

Enabling: The Behavior of an Enabler

Enable has a number of senses, most of which are some variant on allowing someone (or something, such as enabling cookies on a computer) to do something. In the past several decades, enable has also started to take on a new associated sense in the field of addiction studies, where enabling is viewed as giving misguided support to a person with some substance-abuse issue. A person who facilitates the self-destructive behavior of another is referred to as an enabler.

Examples of enabler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bread and butter … Much of the growing ecosystem of commercial satellite startups sees SpaceX’s rideshare launches as key enablers to their businesses, offering relatively inexpensive access to space on a predictable schedule. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026

If technology leaders enter the conversation after strategy has been set, technology becomes an enabler of decisions already made. — Sesh Tirumala, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

On the other will be e-commerce enablers like Shopify, whose primary relationship is with merchants, and which makes money from licensing storefront software, fulfillment services, and financing. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026

The most successful warehouse leaders are looking at technology as an enabler of their teams rather than a replacement for them. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for enabler

• abler
• glabellar
• stabler

Medical Definition

enabler

noun

en·​abler i-ˈnā-b(ə-)lər 

: 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