abjure

IPA/əbˈdʒʊə(r)/
IPA/əbˈdʒʊr/

abjure — verb

  • abjurepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • abjureshe / she / it
  • abjuredpast simple
  • abjuring-ing form

1. to state clearly and in a formal way, sometimes with a promise or under oath, th

1.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to state clearly and in a formal way, sometimes with a promise or under oath, that you have stopped believing in something or supporting it — for example, a religion, a political position, or a personal principle

Example

After much doubt, Minho abjured his former beliefs when he joined a new political party.

abjure + noun phrase (beliefs); formal renunciation

The former leader abjured violence on live television and asked for peace.

Common collocations
  • abjure one's faith
  • abjure a religion
  • abjure one's beliefs
  • abjure violence
  • abjure a claim
  • abjure one's principles
  • abjure one's throne
Synonyms
  • renounce

    More common and less formal; can be used for any kind of rejection, including habits, titles, or claims.

  • repudiate

    Stronger and more aggressive; often implies publicly rejecting something as false or unacceptable.

  • forswear

    Similar formality but often applied to swearing off personal habits or actions rather than beliefs.

Antonyms
  • embrace

    To welcome and accept something actively, the opposite of formally giving it up.

  • adopt

    To start believing in or supporting something new, the reverse of renouncing it.

Grammar Patterns

abjure + noun phrase

Usage Note

Only used in formal or literary contexts — in everyday conversation, 'give up', 'reject', or 'renounce' are more natural. The object is typically something the person previously believed in or supported, such as a religion, political view, claim, or principle.

Common Mistakes

He abjured smoking last year.
He gave up smoking last year.
'abjure' is for renouncing beliefs or principles, not habits or addictions.
She abjured the job offer because it paid too little.
She turned down the job offer because it paid too little.
'abjure' is too formal for everyday decisions and is not used for rejecting offers.

Word family

  • abjuration
    nounC2
  • abjuror
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe rejecting something, but they differ in formality and context. 'Renounce' is the broadest — you can renounce a religion, a claim, or a bad habit in both formal and informal settings. 'Abjure' is more formal and solemn, often carrying the idea of a promise or oath, and is mainly used for beliefs and principles. 'Repudiate' is stronger and more aggressive — it means to reject something as false or unacceptable while often criticizing it publicly. 'Forswear' is similar to 'abjure' in formality but frequently applies to habits or actions (forswearing lying or smoking). 'Recant' is the most specific — it means to take back a previous statement or belief, usually under pressure or to avoid punishment. For example, a political prisoner might be forced to recant their views, while a former politician might abjure their old party's platform in a public letter.

renouncerepudiateforswearrecant

Common collocations

Adverbs

Prepositions

  • in (in court, in a statement)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'abjurare' — 'ab-' (away) combined with 'jurare' (to swear). The literal meaning is 'to swear away' something. The word entered English through Middle French 'abjurer' in the 1400s. It originally referred to renouncing something under oath, and later broadened to cover any formal public renunciation of beliefs or principles.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a