Abjure and adjure look and sound similar, but they are not interchangeable.
Abjure means to renounce, reject, or give up formally. It is usually used when someone turns away from a belief, practice, loyalty, or behavior. Example: She abjured violence after the war.
Adjure means to urge, command, or appeal to someone solemnly. It often appears in serious, formal, or legal contexts. Example: The judge adjured the witness to tell the truth.
- Use abjure when someone rejects something.
- Use adjure when someone strongly urges another person to act.
A quick way to remember it is this: abjure points away from something, while adjure points toward a request or command. If the sentence is about giving something up, choose abjure. If it is about pressing someone to do something, choose adjure.
