Abjure in a Sentence: Meaning, Examples & Practice

Abjure means to renounce something formally and solemnly, or to swear off a practice for good. To use abjure in a sentence, follow it with a direct object and no preposition: “He abjured violence after the trial.” The verb is transitive and belongs to formal, often legal or religious, writing.

Abjure at a glance

• Abjure is a transitive verb; its forms are abjure, abjures, abjured, abjuring and the noun abjuration.
• The core sense is to renounce a belief, claim or practice solemnly and publicly.
• It takes a direct object and never the preposition from.
• Abjure belongs to formal, legal and religious writing.
• The commonest error is confusing abjure with adjure, which means to command or beg.

What does abjure mean?

Abjure is a transitive verb meaning to renounce a belief, claim or practice formally and often publicly. The Cambridge entry for abjure marks it as formal, and two shades of the word matter. One is a solemn public rejection, as when a person abjures a former allegiance; the other is swearing off a habit, as in abjuring alcohol. Where a sentence only says no to an offer, reject is the plainer verb. The near-spelling allure means to attract, not to renounce, so the two must not be mixed.

One limitation is worth stating plainly. Abjure is not the everyday word for saying no. Refusing a second helping of cake is not abjuring dessert, because the verb implies a solemn, lasting and often public renunciation. In casual writing, give up or quit is almost always the better choice.

How do you use abjure in a sentence?

Abjure takes a direct object and never a preposition, which is the point learners get wrong most often. The five frames below cover nearly every real use.

Abjure in a sentence: examples across contexts

Abjure keeps its meaning while its register stays high. The seven sentences below move from a classroom to a history essay, and each one makes the renunciation public and deliberate.

In every row the object is a belief, bond or practice, never a person, and the tone is public rather than private.

Abjure vs renounce and forswear

Abjure overlaps with renounce and forswear but is the most formal of the three. Forswear carries a stronger oath, while renounce is the general verb that works in any register.

Verdict: use renounce for everyday writing, forswear when the promise is oath-bound and old-fashioned, and abjure when the renunciation is solemn, public and formal.

Word forms and grammar of abjure

Abjure inflects regularly, and its noun keeps the formal tone of the verb.

The noun is abjuration, which takes of: an abjuration of the throne. Where a person withdraws a statement rather than a belief, recant is the more exact verb.

Common mistakes with abjure

• Incorrect: He abjured from violence. Correct: He abjured violence. Rule: Abjure is transitive and takes no preposition.
• Incorrect: The teacher abjured the students to work harder. Correct: The teacher adjured the students to work harder. Rule: Adjure means to command or urge; abjure means to renounce.
• Incorrect: I abjure of that promise. Correct: I abjure that promise. Rule: The verb never takes of, though the noun abjuration does.
• Incorrect: She abjured to drink alcohol. Correct: She abjured alcohol. Rule: The object is a noun phrase, not an infinitive.
• Incorrect: He abjuration his old beliefs. Correct: He abjured his old beliefs. Rule: Abjuration is a noun; the verb form is abjured.

Practice using abjure

Work through the six items, then check the reasoning rather than only the answer.

1. Fill the gap: The monk ______ his former life and joined the order.
2. Choose the better word: The judge (abjured / adjured) the witness to tell the truth.
3. Correct the error: The group abjured from all single-use plastics.
4. Build a sentence: use abjure about a public renunciation of a habit.
5. Spot the register: which belongs in a legal document — the defendant abjured the earlier statement, or he totally gave up his old story?
6. Rewrite with the noun: He abjured the throne. Use abjuration instead.

Answers

1. abjured — the monk publicly gave up his old life, which is the core sense.
2. adjured — a judge commands a witness; abjure would mean the judge renounced something.
3. The group abjured all single-use plastics — the verb takes a direct object, not from.
4. Model answer: The athlete abjured all performance drugs before the hearing.
5. The defendant abjured the earlier statement — a legal record avoids totally and slang.
6. His abjuration of the throne stunned the court — the noun takes of and needs an article.

The bottom line

Use abjure in a sentence when someone solemnly and publicly gives up a belief, allegiance or practice, and follow it with a direct object. Two rules decide most sentences: the verb takes no preposition, and it is far more formal than give up. The plainer repudiate works for ideas, while abjure belongs in legal, religious and historical prose.

Frequently asked questions about abjure

Is abjure a formal word?

Yes. Abjure sits in formal, legal and religious writing, where renunciations are recorded and witnessed. A contract may require a party to abjure a claim, and a history book may say a king abjured his throne. In casual speech, give up or quit sounds far more natural.

What is the difference between abjure and adjure?

Abjure means to renounce something, while adjure means to command or earnestly beg someone. The two differ by one letter and are easy to confuse. If the sentence is about giving something up, use abjure; if it is about urging a person, use adjure.

Does abjure take a preposition?

No. Abjure is transitive, so it goes straight to its object: abjure violence, abjure a claim, abjure the throne. Adding from, of or to is a common learner error. The related noun abjuration is different, because it does take of, as in an abjuration of the throne.

What is the noun form of abjure?

The noun is abjuration, meaning a formal renunciation. It takes of before the thing given up, so a court might record an abjuration of the claim. A rare and old-fashioned variant, abjurement, exists but is best avoided in modern writing.

Have you ever heard of the word “abjure”? It’s a verb that means to formally reject or renounce a belief, cause, or claim.

When someone abjures something, they are making a clear and deliberate statement that they no longer support or believe in it. This act of distancing oneself from a previous belief or position can have significant implications in personal, societal, or political contexts.

7 Examples Of Abjure Used In a Sentence For Kids

• Abjure means to say no to something.
• If something is not good for you, you can abjure it.
• It is important to abjure things that are not safe.
• You can choose to abjure things that make you feel uncomfortable.
• When you abjure something, you are making a strong decision.
• You should always listen to your parents when they tell you to abjure something.
• It is okay to abjure things that are not good for you.

14 Sentences with Abjure Examples

1. Abjure unhealthy snacks and prioritize nutritious meals for better academic performance.
2. It’s important to abjure procrastination and start working on assignments well in advance.
3. College students should abjure the habit of oversleeping and establish a consistent study routine.
4. Abjure the temptation to skip classes as it can negatively impact your grades in the long run.
5. It’s crucial to abjure distractions while studying to maintain focus and productivity.
6. To succeed in group projects, it’s essential to abjure a negative attitude and collaborate effectively with peers.
7. Abjure all-nighters before exams and prioritize getting enough rest for optimal cognitive function.
8. College students should abjure plagiarism and always cite sources properly in their academic work.
9. Abjure reliance on social media during study hours to improve concentration and retention of information.
10. To maintain good mental health, it’s important to abjure comparison with peers and focus on personal growth.
11. College students must abjure excessive partying and prioritize their academic responsibilities.
12. It’s beneficial to abjure excessive spending on unnecessary items and practice financial discipline.
13. Abjure toxic relationships and surround yourself with positive influences for personal growth.
14. College students should abjure the fear of failure and embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.

How To Use Abjure in Sentences?

To properly use Abjure in a sentence, you must understand its meaning and how it functions in a sentence. Abjure means to solemnly renounce, repudiate, or retract something, especially under oath.

When incorporating Abjure in a sentence, you should use it to convey a strong sense of rejection or disavowal of something. For example, you could say, “The witness decided to abjure his previous statement, admitting that it was false.” In this sentence, Abjure is used to indicate that the witness publicly and formally rejected their earlier statement.

To use Abjure effectively, ensure that it fits the context of what you are trying to express. It is typically used in formal or serious situations where someone is making a deliberate and solemn rejection of a belief, statement, or action. For instance, “The politician was forced to abjure his support for the controversial policy after facing widespread criticism.” Here, Abjure highlights the politician’s formal and public renunciation of their previous stance.

In summary, using Abjure in a sentence involves understanding its meaning of solemnly renouncing or rejecting something, and employing it in the appropriate context to convey a sense of formal disavowal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the examples of sentences with “abjure” highlight the act of renouncing or rejecting something formally and publicly. These sentences demonstrate how individuals can disavow beliefs, actions, or allegiances, often implying a conscious decision to steer clear of previous associations. The word “abjure” carries a strong sense of deliberate and decisive separation, emphasizing a clear break from the past.

By examining how “abjure” is used in different contexts, we can understand its significance in expressing a firm rejection or abandonment of certain ideas or practices. Whether it is about disowning former loyalties or forsaking old habits, the sentences with “abjure” show the importance of openly denouncing something and moving forward with a newfound resolve.