retract vs recant

retract and recant both are verbs.

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

As verbs, retract and recant are synonyms defined as:

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

Other synonyms of retract include abjure, forswear, resile.

retract (verb)	recant (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