Definition

Verb: 1. To remove or extract something or someone, especially with persistent effort or cunning: This meaning emphasizes the action of getting something out that is hidden, embedded, or reluctant to come out. It often implies a careful, probing, or clever process. 2. To force someone or something from a place or position: This meaning focuses on the act of causing removal, often from a place of security or concealment.

Usage and Examples

The verb "winkle out" is typically used with an object (transitive). It often carries a connotation of difficulty, requiring patience, cleverness, or sustained effort to achieve the removal.

• Example (Extracting information):
• Example (Removing from a position):
• Example (Forcing from a place):

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Connotation of Persistence: The phrase often suggests the target is unwilling or hard to access. The action is not quick or easy.
  • It took hours to winkle out all the details of the old story from my grandfather's memory.
• Connotation of Cleverness or Guile: It can imply using clever questions, tactics, or tricks to achieve the removal.
  • The detective winkled out a confession by presenting contradictory evidence.

Variants and Related Words

• Winkle (verb): The base verb, meaning to extract or remove with effort. "Winkle out" is the more common phrasal form.
  • He tried to winkle the secret from her.
• Winkle (noun): A type of small sea snail (periwinkle), which is where the verb originates, referring to the action of extracting this snail from its shell.

Synonyms

• Extract: To remove or obtain something, especially with effort.
• Pry out: To obtain something with difficulty, using leverage or persistent inquiry.
• Ferret out: To discover something by searching thoroughly and determinedly.
• Root out: To find and remove something completely, especially something undesirable.
• Dislodge: To remove something from a fixed position.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Winkle something out of someone: This is a common construction emphasizing the source from which something is extracted.
  • She finally winkled the apology out of him.

Verb

1. remove or displace from a position
2. force from a place or position
   • The committee winkled out the unqualified candidates