abjure vs retract

abjure and retract both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
abjure	No	No	Yes	No
retract	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, abjure and retract are synonyms defined as:

abjure and retract: formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure

Other synonyms of abjure include forswear, recant, resile.

abjure (verb)	retract (verb)
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure	formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
	pull inward or towards a center
	use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)
	pull away from a source of disgust or fear