abjure

[ ab-joor, -jur ]

verb (used with object)

, ab·jured, ab·jur·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• ˌabjuˈration, noun
• abˈjurer, noun

Other Words From

• ab·jura·tory adjective
• ab·jurer noun
• nonab·jura·tory adjective
• unab·jura·tory adjective
• unab·jured adjective

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

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

From 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.

From 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.

From Reuters

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

From New York Times

Those that succeeded did so by offering apt substitutions for in-person performance or by abjuring it completely in favor of a frankly virtual experience.

From New York Times