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extract

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noun

as in excerpt
a part taken from a longer work the anthology includes a long extract from the epic poem

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb extract contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of extract are educe, elicit, evoke, and extort. While all these words mean "to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved," extract implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information.

extracted a confession from him

When would educe be a good substitute for extract?

The meanings of educe and extract largely overlap; however, educe implies the bringing out of something potential or latent.

educed order out of chaos

When is elicit a more appropriate choice than extract?

Although the words elicit and extract have much in common, elicit usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response.

careful questioning elicited the truth

When can evoke be used instead of extract?

The words evoke and extract can be used in similar contexts, but evoke implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory.

a song that evokes warm memories

In what contexts can extort take the place of extract?

The words extort and extract are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, extort suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly.

extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of extract
Verb
The juice is extracted, boiled, cleaned of impurities, and crystallized. Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Oct. 2025 At the heart of this is the separation machine at Toray’s Seta plant, which uses weight differentials and air flow to extract feathers even from garments with zippers and fasteners attached. Chizuru Muko, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
Scientists at Mass General Brigham in Boston tracked nearly 600 adults averaging 70 years old who took either 500 milligrams of cocoa extract or a placebo every day for two years. Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025 Pure vanilla extract adds sweetness and depth to the batter. Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extract
Noun
  • Here are some excerpts from our conversation.
    Sid Evans, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
  • One excerpt in particular that has amped up the anticipation for the book, is one that speaks of his longtime, late friend Michael Jackson.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Within minutes, the driver pulls back onto the road to haul the feed to an Algoma dairy farm, where livestock will eat it.
    Miranda Dunlap, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Coach Sean Payton, aggressively calling for a 2-point conversion after pulling to within 1 point and then unwrapping the perfect play call to capture the lead.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Sofia Coppola’s cult-favorite (if historically murky-at-best) 2006 film Marie Antoinette plucked the queen from history-book pages and pasted her on contemporary mood boards.
    Grace McCarty, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Simply plucking young stars from viewers’ social-media feeds won’t radically alter or refresh SNL.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Annoyed Detroit ticketholders reacted Wednesday on YoungBoy fan sites after the LCA show was yanked from the tour schedule.
    Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Previously, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell yanked their music off the service to protest Joe Rogan’s podcast at the height of the pandemic for supposedly spreading misinformation about the Covid vaccine.
    Roy Trakin, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extract. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on extract

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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