Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

abjure

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of abjure

1 to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
  • abjured some long-held beliefs when she converted to another religion
Synonyms of abjure

abnegate, forswear (also foreswear), recant, renege, renounce, repeal, repudiate, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw
Words Related to abjure

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 of abjure

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
Antonyms of abjure

adhere (to)
2 to resist the temptation of
  • a strict religious sect that abjures the luxuries, comforts, and conveniences of the modern world
Synonyms of abjure

abstain (from), forbear, forgo (also forego), keep (from), refrain (from), withhold (from)
Words Related to abjure

avoid, eschew, shun

check, constrain, curb, inhibit

deny, refuse, reject, repudiate

buck, combat, fight
Near Antonyms of abjure

acquiesce (to), capitulate, concede (to), knuckle under (to)
Antonyms of abjure

bow (to), give in (to), submit (to), succumb (to), surrender (to), yield (to)

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 may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown.
    • renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting
forswear may add 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 the story

Learn More about abjure

  1. See words that rhyme with abjure Dictionary: Definition of abjure Spanish Central: Translation of abjure Nglish: Translation of abjure for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up abjure? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

decoct

Listen to the pronounciation of decoct

to boil down or concentrate

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. exonerate Barr summarizes Mueller report

  2. catamount Vermont enters the Round of 64

  3. mendacious, mendacity George Conway calls Trump a liar

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games