What does adjuring mean?
Adjuring is the present participle of the formal verb "adjure," meaning to command or urge someone solemnly to do something, as though binding them under oath. When a judge adjures a witness to tell the truth, or a dying monarch adjures their heirs to govern wisely, the speaker is invoking a sense of sacred obligation rather than making a casual request. The word derives from the Latin adjurare, formed from ad- ("toward") and jurare ("to swear"), placing it in the same family as jury, perjury, conjure, and abjure — all rooted in the Latin concept of swearing an oath. Adjuring is decidedly formal and literary, appearing most often in religious texts, legal contexts, and historical narrative. It can shade from authoritative command into earnest pleading, giving it a gravity that ordinary verbs like "asking" or "telling" cannot convey. Writers reach for it when they want language that signals solemnity, urgency, and moral seriousness.
verbThe present participle and gerund of "adjure": to command or urge someone solemnly, as if under oath, to do something.
- To command or charge someone solemnly, as if under oath, to do something.
- To earnestly and urgently entreat or beseech someone.
"The dying king was adjuring his sons to rule with justice and mercy."
"The witness was adjured by the judge to tell nothing but the truth."
"She stood at the doorway, adjuring her brother not to leave without saying goodbye."
When you adjure someone, you're not just asking — you're putting them on oath, a power the word inherited directly from ancient Roman courtroom oaths.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of adjuring
Adjuring comes from the Latin adjurare, meaning "to swear to" or "to charge on oath," formed from ad- ("to, toward") and jurare ("to swear"). The verb entered English via Old French in the late Middle Ages, retaining its legal and religious force of binding someone by oath. It shares its root with jury, perjury, conjure, and abjure, all descendants of the Latin ius/iurare family concerning oaths and law.
Related word forms
How adjuring is actually used
Formal and literary in register; rare in everyday speech. It carries a strong connotation of gravity and moral weight — an adjured person is being charged as if before God or a court. The verb is most often found in religious, legal, or historical writing.
Easily confused with adjuring
"Injuring" means causing physical harm, while "adjuring" means solemnly urging or commanding someone to act.
"Alluring" means temptingly attractive, whereas "adjuring" means earnestly charging someone to do something.