abjure

[ab-joor, -jur]

verb (used with object)

abjured, abjuring 

1. to renounce, repudiate, or retract, especially with formal solemnity; recant.

   to abjure one's errors.

2. to renounce or give up under oath; forswear.

   to abjure allegiance.

3. to avoid or shun.

abjure

/ əbˈdʒʊə /

verb

1. to renounce or retract, esp formally, solemnly, or under oath

2. to abstain from or reject

Other Word Forms

• abjuratory adjective
• abjurer noun
• nonabjuratory adjective
• unabjuratory adjective
• unabjured adjective
• abjuration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abjure¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin abjūrāre to deny on oath, equivalent to ab- ab- + jūrāre to swear; jury ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of abjure¹

C15: from Old French abjurer or Latin abjurāre to deny on oath

Example Sentences

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman did not immediately say whether he would retry McGhee for the murders, nor whether he would again seek the death penalty, which his predecessor abjured.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With great subversiveness, Portis consistently abjured America’s postwar fetishes for progress, social mobility and affluence.

Read more on Washington Post

If there was an abiding theme across X’s work and life, it was the attempt to subvert a fixed self, choosing to cycle through artistic personas and abjure her personal history.

Read more on New York Times

Tunisia's army has historically abjured a political role and Saied has not yet tested the security forces by trying to mobilise them for a major crackdown on dissent.

Read more on Reuters

As in his Tony-winning revival of “The Color Purple,” he abjures almost all specific signs of setting.

Read more on New York Times