sonsacar

The Spanish verb "sonsacar" means to extract information from someone through skillful questioning, coaxing, or subtle persuasion. It often implies obtaining secrets, confessions, or information that the other person might be reluctant to share.

Meaning

• To draw out or elicit information, especially by subtle or clever means.
• To coax or cajole information from someone.

Usage

• It is usually followed by the preposition "a" when referring to the person being questioned, e.g., sonsacar a alguien (to coax or extract information from someone).
• The act is often intentional and clever, sometimes delicate or tricky.

Parts

• son-: This prefix has unclear standalone meaning here, but it appears in verbs indicating soft or indirect action.
• sacar: A common verb meaning "to take out," "to remove," or "to get."

Combined, sonsacar figuratively means "to take out (information) in a subtle or crafty way."

Synonyms

• sacar (in some contexts, general "to take out")
• extraer (to extract)
• averiguar (to find out, discover)
• obtener (to obtain)
• persuadir (to persuade)
• extorsionar (in some contexts when under pressure, though this is generally negative and stronger)

Antonyms

• callar (to keep quiet)
• ocultar (to hide)
• guardar (to keep, to save (information))
• silenciar (to silence)

Example sentences

• El periodista logró sonsacar la verdad al político durante la entrevista.
  (The journalist managed to coax out the truth from the politician during the interview.)

• No puedo sonsacar más información de mi hermano sobre la sorpresa.
  (I can’t get more information from my brother about the surprise.)

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In summary, "sonsacar" is a verb used when someone carefully or cunningly extracts or coaxes information from another person.