abjure

ab·jure

verb \ab-ˈju̇r\

ab·juredab·jur·ing

Definition of ABJURE

transitive verb

1

a : to renounce upon oath b : to reject solemnly

2

: to abstain from : avoid <abjure extravagance>

— ab·jur·er noun

Examples of ABJURE

1. <abjured some long-held beliefs when she converted to another religion>
2. <a strict religious sect that abjures the luxuries, comforts, and conveniences of the modern world>

Origin of ABJURE

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French abjurer, from Latin abjurare, from ab- + jurare to swear — more at jury

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ABJURE

Synonyms: abnegate, forswear (also foreswear), recant, renege, renounce, repeal, repudiate, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw

Antonyms: adhere (to)

Related Words: contradict, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, gainsay, negate, negative; abandon, bolt, forsake, give up, relinquish, spurn, surrender; controvert, disagree (with), disprove, dispute, rebut, refute; back down, back off, backtrack; disallow, recall, revoke

Near Antonyms: acknowledge, admit, affirm, assert, avow, claim, contend, declare, maintain, proclaim, profess, state, vouch, vow; back, confirm, defend, endorse (also indorse), espouse, maintain, support, uphold; accept, adopt, embrace

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Synonym Discussion of ABJURE

abjure, renounce, forswear, recant, retract mean to withdraw one's word or professed belief. abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath <abjured the errors of his former faith>. renounce often equals abjure but may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown <renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting>. forswear may add to abjure an implication of perjury or betrayal <I cannot forswear my principles>. recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught <if they recant they will be spared>. retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation <the newspaper had to retract its allegations against the mayor>.

Rhymes with ABJURE

adjure, Adour, allure, amour, Ashur, assure, brochure, ceinture, cocksure, coiffure, conjure, contour, couture, demure, detour, dirt-poor, endure, ensure, faubourg, for sure, Fraktur, grandeur, gravure, guipure, hachure, immure, impure, insure, inure, kultur, land-poor, langur, ligure, manure, mature, mohur, obscure, parure, perdure, procure, rondure, secure, siddur, tambour, tandoor, tenure, Uighur, unmoor, velour, velure