Enabler

/ɪˈneɪblər/ noun

Definition

A person or thing that makes something possible; in psychology, someone who allows another's unhealthy behavior by removing natural consequences.

Etymology

From enable plus the agent suffix -er (Old English -ere). Originally neutral, it gained a negative psychological connotation in the 20th century.

Kelly Says

The word 'enabler' has two very different meanings: in business, an enabler is good (like software that enables work), but in psychology, being an enabler is usually bad—it describes someone whose help actually prevents another person from getting better or taking responsibility!

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