Synonym Chooser

How is the word abjure different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of abjure are forswear, recant, renounce, and retract. While all these words 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

When would forswear be a good substitute for abjure?

In some situations, the words forswear and abjure are roughly equivalent. However, forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal.

I cannot forswear my principles

When is recant a more appropriate choice than abjure?

The synonyms recant and abjure are sometimes interchangeable, but recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught.

if they recant they will be spared

When can renounce be used instead of abjure?

Although the words renounce and abjure have much in common, renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown.

renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting

When could retract be used to replace abjure?

The words retract and abjure can be used in similar contexts, but retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation.

the newspaper had to retract the story

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abjure The Abrahamic faiths conceive of God as an omniscient creator and generally abjure gambling as a result; one of the first laws passed by the Puritans in the Massachusetts Bay Colony banned the possession of cards, dice, or gaming tables. Idrees Kahloon, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024 In the end, de Hales agreed to abjure the realm, which meant walking, barefoot, to the port of Chester, a hundred and thirty miles away, holding a wooden cross and wearing sackcloth, and taking a ship across the Irish Sea, never to return. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2024 Elite progressive educational institutions were unlikely to experience a radical moral epiphany the moment the Supreme Court made its ruling, and abjure their discriminatory impulses and racial fixations. The Editors, National Review, 8 Aug. 2023 This scenario—the Russian nationalist who abjures the war—is Ukraine’s quickest path to some sort of victory. Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for abjure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abjure
Verb
  • Rather than coddle terrorists, all concerned parties should work to remove Hamas and establish a governing authority in Gaza—whether indigenous or imposed—that poses no threat to anyone, renounces terrorism, and seeks to live in peace.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
  • Ray plead guilty to King’s murder, but later renounced that plea and maintained his innocence until his death in 1998.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Close the blinds and curtains on sun-facing windows to block the sun's rays and avoid unwanted heat.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • After all, avoiding some topics or questions altogether could be perceived as a political response, said Mark Riedl, a professor of computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Due to uncertainties surrounding tariffs and the global economy, Harley has withdrawn its outook for 2025 that had been provided in February.
    Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
  • Never give into demands to withdraw money in your accounts and take cash to a local crypto ATM.
    Susan Tompor, USA Today, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • These directives are in the spotlight after Paramount and Skydance committed to foregoing DEI programs several months back under a notoriously anti-diversity initiatives Donald Trump administration, and the decision was reiterated last week to the Federal Communications Commission.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 July 2025
  • That’s why Judge wanted to forego an IL stint and start DH’ing right away, but Boone said not providing the 33-year-old with some downtime would delay the healing process.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • The demon's hand can be seen retracting from her shoulder in a spooky scene, while Judy, dressed in a wedding dress, is attacked by her own sinister-looking reflection in a hall of mirrors.
    EW.com, EW.com, 31 July 2025
  • At the grand opening, the screen retracted and a trio of singers took the stage to perform a Pentatonix-style vocal version of the 20th Century Fox theme.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Or will he get lumped in with Arthur Burns, abettor of the ‘70’s inflation debacle, and be denied Hall of Fame entry.
    Bob Haber, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Democrats have largely denied fast unanimous consent votes regarding Trump’s nominees, instead opting for roll calls.
    Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 3 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abjure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abjure. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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