recantation vs retraction

recantation and retraction both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
recantation	Yes	No	No	No
retraction	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, recantation and retraction are synonyms defined as:

recantation and retraction: a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion

Other synonyms of recantation include abjuration.

recantation (noun)	retraction (noun)
a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion	the act of pulling or holding or drawing a part back
	a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion