Abjure

To formally renounce or reject a belief, cause, or claim. This often involves making a solemn or public declaration of abandoning something previously held. It implies a complete and often irrevocable disavowal, a turning away from something that was once accepted or embraced. The act of abjuring suggests a significant change of heart, a conscious and deliberate decision to forsake something, whether a religious belief, a political allegiance, or a previously held position or practice. The abjuration is usually done in front of witnesses or a specific authority, making the act a decisive break from the past.

Abjure meaning with examples

• After years of fervent activism, the politician was forced to abjure his radical views to gain mainstream support. His public statement disavowed his controversial past, signaling a major shift in his political stance. The move caused considerable debate among his former supporters, some feeling betrayed while others welcomed the change as pragmatic.
• The members of the religious sect were compelled to abjure their beliefs under threat of persecution. Their public renunciation, though made under duress, was deemed necessary for their survival. The abjuration was a painful experience for many, leaving lasting emotional scars, though it secured their freedom.
• Following a scandal, the CEO had to abjure his previous statements about the company's ethical practices. The revised stance attempted to mitigate public outrage and avoid legal repercussions. The change was met with widespread skepticism, raising further questions about his leadership and transparency.
• The accused spy chose to abjure any further contact with his former contacts and agencies. His decision was a calculated attempt to cooperate with authorities and receive a more lenient sentence, but it left him isolated from his past life.
• To prove his loyalty, the soldier had to abjure his childhood allegiances to an enemy faction. This was a symbolic yet powerful act of severing ties to the group he was once affiliated with, signaling his complete commitment to his new cause. This action was vital for the group's complete trust.