Phrase guide

tease out

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To unravel; (figuratively, by extension) to determine; solve.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 2017, Jennifer S. Holland, For These Monkeys, It’s a Fight for Survival., National Geographic (March 2017)http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/03/macaques-monkeys-indonesia-endangered-pet-trade/ The researchers are teasing out fine details of the yaki’s private life.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: disentangle, puzzle out, work out, feeze, tease out, unravel, unsnarl, untangle, absolve, decipher, get to the bottom of, iron out, meliorate, ravel, reason out, resolve, riddle, sleuth, solve, think out, unpuzzle, unriddle, unsolve, upsolve, Any from Thesaurus:untangle

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To separate as if by unraveling.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To work out, procure, or extract, usually by processes involving subterfuge, diligence, manipulation, or coaxing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.