Learn English – Word or phrase: To convince others to do wrong

phrase-requestssingle-word-requests

I'm looking for a word or phrase that describes somebody who convinces other people to do wrong.

"Coercion" comes close, but I'm looking for something that doesn't imply a threat.

"Ducking" is a prison-slang term for when a prisoner gets the guards to do things for them. I would be happy with this except that it's very specific.

"Brainwashing" is almost halfway close, but not really.

Real-life examples are rather grim, such as a person who convinces another to be a suicide-bomber, or perhaps racism in general.

I'm a racist because I was _____ed

Watch out for Henry, he's a ______

I would be particularly happy with an answer if the word/phrase was meant to be used as an insult.

Best Answer

Someone who is encouraging others to do something wrong is abetting them (and so they are an abettor). It does not necessarily involve force (and hence there is no coercion in general) and yes, they are sometimes considered to be guilty along with those who committed the wrong deed.

Watch out for Henry, he's an abettor.

ODO:

abet
VERB [WITH OBJECT]
1 Encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong, in particular to commit a crime.

‘he was not guilty of murder but was guilty of aiding and abetting others’

abettor (also abetter)
NOUN
A person who encourages or assists someone to do something wrong, in particular to commit a crime.

‘she pleaded guilty to manslaughter as an aider and abettor’