The word “abjure” is a word a lot of people are not aware of. It is a word you will rarely see people using in their speeches and writings. This is because they are not familiar with the word and they have no idea what it means and how to correctly use it. You are probably asking, how should we use “abjure” when writing? And what are the rules guiding its use?
The word “abjure” is a verb that means to make or say a public or formal declaration that you are renouncing a belief, a claim, or a cause. It is used to say you no longer agree with a belief. An example of the use of the word is: Cynthia was forced by her parents to abjure her loyalty to the sect.
You might be thinking, this word looks like a word we use every day, but there is a lot more you need to understand about this word before you can use it correctly and effectively. There is no cause for worries, we have got you covered in this article.
What Does The Word “Abjure” Mean?
One common mistake a lot of people make is trying to use a word, a phrase, an idiomatic expression, or a proverb without having an in-depth knowledge of it. So, they end up misusing it, communicating poorly, and making their writings very difficult to read and understand.
For you to avoid making this mistake, you need to understand everything about a word, in this case, the word “abjure” before you use it in sentences. We will look at the meaning, the origin, the nature, the antonyms, and the synonyms of the word “abjure.”
We will look at the meaning of the word “abjure” right now.
The word “abjure” means “to state publicly that you reject or give up a belief or a way of life.” It also means to renounce a cause, a claim, or a belief upon oath. It is a solemn rejection.
Some dictionaries define the word “abjure” as to abstain from. It also means to make a formal withdrawal from, to repudiate, and to make a solemn recantation. It is a final and firm rejection or abandonment of a previously accepted cause.
It means to shun, avoid, retract, disavow, and forswear a formerly held or accepted belief, usually as a result of pressure. It also means to cause a person to recant or renounce a cause, belief, or claim.
You have a clear insight into the meaning of the word “abjure,” we will look at the etymology or its origin.
The origin of the word “abjure” can be traced to a Middle English word “abjuren” meaning “to renounce an oath,” “forswear,” and “repudiate” which in turn was derived from the Latin word “abiūrō,” which means to deny upon oath. And it is gotten from the Middle French word “abjure,” from “abiurare,” an Old Latin word.
We will move into the synonyms of the word “abjure.” The synonyms are words with similar meanings to the word we are looking at.
The synonyms of the word “abjure” include:
- Relinquish
- Renounce
- Reject
- Forswear
- Forgo
- Abandon
- Disavow
- Disclaim
- Repudiate
- Abnegate
- Disaffirm
- Deny
- Repudiate
- Spun
- Abstain From
- Recant
- Renege
- Retract
- Withdraw
- Opt-out
- Give Up
- Cede
- Demit
- Repeal
- Take Back
- Unsay
- Disown
- Abnegate
- Desert
- Eschew
- Recall
- Revoke
Next, we will see some of the antonyms (words that are opposite in meaning) of the word “abjure.”
The antonyms of the word “abjure” are:
- Admit
- Acknowledge
- Affirm
- Avow
- Assert
- Declare
- Claim
- Contend
- Maintain
- Profess
- Proclaim
- Vow
- Vouch
- Support
- Uphold
- Endorse
- Confirm
- Indorse
- Espouse
- Accept
- Advocate
- Assert
- Adopt
- Retain
- Vindicate
- Cherish
- Claim
- Defend
- Protect
- Yield To
- Succumb To
- Give In To
- Adhere To
- Acquiesce
Our next focus is the nature of the word “abjure,” the function it performs when used in a sentence as well as the part of speech it is categorized under.
The word “abjure” is a verb. And like all verbs, it is an action verb, meaning it depicts actions in a sentence. Well, that is also the nature of the word “abjure.” It conveys that someone is doing something.
How to Properly Use “Abjure” In A Sentence
With the establishment of this essential knowledge, we will talk about how you can use the word “abjure” correctly in a sentence.
The word “abjure” is used when there is a decision to recant or renounce a belief, a cause, a claim, or an agreement that was previously accepted. Most times you use the word only when the renouncement or recantation is a result of pressure or force.
The word “abjure” can also be used as the phrase “abjure the realm,” a historical expression that means to swear an oath to leave a country forever without any option of returning.
You use the word “abjure” when making an irrevocable renouncement or rejection formally, and it is usually publicly. So if the recantation is not irrevocable you cannot use the word “abjure,” you should use any of the many synonyms listed above.
The word “abjure” is also used when a person is forced to recant, renounce, or retract a previously accepted or agreed cause, claim, or belief under an oath, implying there is no going back on the renouncing.
You also use the word “abjure” when a person is making efforts to avoid or abstain from something. Also used when there is an abandonment of a cause that lasts for a very long time.
You mustn’t confuse the word “adjure” with “abjure”. “Adjure” means to command or charge earnestly, usually under the threat of a penalty. So you can see that the word “abjure” and “adjure” do not have any similarities except for their almost similar spelling.
When you want the word “abjure” to function as an adjective in a sentence, it becomes “abjuratory”. And to function as a noun, it becomes “abjurer.”
Taking cognizance of these simple procedures will guarantee you a correct usage of the word “abjure” in a sentence.
Illustrative Examples on how to use the word “Abjure”
We have explained all you need to know about the proper usage of the word “abjure”. But for better clarity, we will take a look at some examples.
- It was only after the president of the North American country amassed the scores of people in the opposition party that the people had to abjure their religious and political beliefs.
- Although his offense was so great his people had to acknowledge his guilt and almost gave him up, they cannot abjure their responsibility.
- A lot of people living in the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique were willing to abjure their faith and belief during the French Revolution when they saw how those who refused were guillotined.
- A lot of people are willing to abjure their relationships with their friends for a small prize and wish them godspeed.
- Despite all the repeated torture and inhumane treatments the followers of Jesus received, they refused to abjure their faith in him.
- Lady Ann of Scotland who had her bones dislocated but did not flinch, looked at her executor calmly while refusing to abjure her beliefs.
- James ended up in prison because he refused to abjure his life of crime despite all his parents’ pleas and appeals.
- Jude’s lawyer felt he was uncooperative and unyielding so he decided to abjure the case and let another attorney handle it.
- It is very rare to see a Christian or Muslim abjure his religion and embrace atheism.
- Nothing on earth could make the governor abjure that power without proper due diligence because it had to be used in the national interest.
- Her attempts to give up her eclectic lifestyle failed because she could not abjure, give up, or control the force by which she is possessed.
- Although Mary’s favorite dessert after a meal is pizza, she had to abjure it while she was dieting.
- He was arrested because he claimed to be a Catholic priest, although lots of efforts were made to make him abjure his beliefs, he remained unyielding.
- By refusing to abjure their beliefs, the heretics were burnt, a punishment that would make others afraid and fearful.
- One set of options available in the future is the familiar one: to choose either work or family and to abjure the other for the remainder of life.
- He abjured the Protestant faith and became a Catholic priest in his late sixties after a long time.
- Though Elizabeth Keen made a promise to her husband to abjure from a life of crime, she still committed a lot of criminal acts.
- In a sober ceremony, the Muslim abjured his old religion and embraced Christianity.
The examples above should provide you with an insight into how you can use the word “abjure” correctly in a sentence.
Final Thoughts
“Abjure” is not an everyday use word, and its meaning has big implications but this does not mean you have to be confused when you come across it. It might have been unfamiliar at first but after reading this article has covered everything you need to know about the word “abjure”.
We hope it was informational as it was enjoyable and the next time you need to use this word you’ll know what to do!
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.