【Abjure】 , 【renounce】 , 【forswear】 , 【recant】 and 【retract】 all mean to withdraw one’s word or professed belief.

【Abjure】 implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning under oath.

• He abjured the Protestant faith and became King in 1594.

【Renounce】 often equals 【abjure】 but may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown.

• After a period of imprisonment she renounced terrorism.

【Forswear】 may add to 【abjure】 an implication of perjury or betrayal.

• The party was offered a share of government if it forswore violence.

【Recant】 stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught.

• White House officials ordered Williams to 【recant】 .

【Retract】 applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation.

• Mr Smith hurriedly sought to 【retract】 the statement, but it had just been broadcast on national radio.