Extract vs. Extricate: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Extract refers to the act of removing or taking something out, typically from a source or by using force, while extricate means to free something or someone from a challenging situation or a constraint.
Key Differences
The word "extract" often refers to the action of removing something with deliberate effort or force. It's a process of separation, taking something out from where it was contained or embedded. Conversely, "extricate" implies a sense of freeing or disentangling from a complex situation or entrapment. While extraction is about removal, extrication is about release.
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Nov 27, 2023
"Extract" is typically used in contexts like obtaining a substance from a larger mass by a physical or chemical process, or quoting information from a larger document. On the other hand, "extricate" usually appears in scenarios where someone is being freed from a constraint or a difficult situation, such as extricating a car from the mud or a person from a contractual obligation.
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Nov 27, 2023
In the medical field, to "extract" might mean to take out a tooth, while to "extricate" is more about freeing a limb or body from entrapment without further injury. The focus of extraction is the object being removed, while extrication is concerned with the preservation of what's being freed.
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Nov 27, 2023
The legal system may "extract" information from a witness through questioning, but a lawyer may "extricate" a client from legal charges by navigating through complex legal defenses. Thus, "extract" involves the action of getting something out, while "extricate" involves strategic maneuvering to release.
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Nov 27, 2023
When it comes to computing, one might "extract" data from a database, a simple act of retrieval. Meanwhile, to "extricate" might involve solving a coding issue that prevents a program from running smoothly. The former is a straightforward fetch operation; the latter, a problem-solving process.
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Nov 27, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage in Language
Often physical or informational
Typically situational or metaphorical
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Nov 27, 2023
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Extract and Extricate Definitions
Extract
To obtain a substance from another by a chemical process.
They extracted the essential oils from the flowers.
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Nov 10, 2023
Extricate
To withdraw from a problematic or harmful situation.
They had to extricate their investments from the failing company.
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Nov 10, 2023
Extract
To draw or pull out, often with great force or effort
Extract a wisdom tooth.
Used tweezers to extract the splinter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extricate
To detach or separate with effort or care.
The archaeologist extricated the relic from its ancient resting place.
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Nov 10, 2023
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Extricate
To free or release from an entanglement or difficulty.
He extricated himself from the restrictive contract.
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Nov 10, 2023
Extract
To obtain from a substance by chemical or mechanical action, as by pressure, distillation, or evaporation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extricate
To disentangle something from a trap or a complicated situation.
She extricated the animal from the netting.
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Nov 10, 2023
Extricate
To rescue or deliver from a confinement or a dangerous situation.
Firefighters worked to extricate the victim from the wreckage.
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Nov 10, 2023
Extricate
(transitive) To free, disengage, loosen, or untangle.
I finally managed to extricate myself from the tight jacket.
The firefighters had to use the jaws of life to extricate Monica from the car wreck.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Extricate
To free, as from difficulties or perplexities; to disentangle; to disembarrass; as, to extricate a person from debt, peril, etc.
We had now extricated ourselves from the various labyrinths and defiles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extricate
To cause to be emitted or evolved; as, to extricate heat or moisture.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
A concentrated preparation of the essential constituents of a food, flavoring, or other substance; a concentrate
Maple extract.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extricate
Release from entanglement of difficulty;
I cannot extricate myself from this task
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
A portion of a book or document, incorporated distinctly in another work; a citation; a quotation.
I used an extract of Hemingway's book to demonstrate culture shock.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
A decoction, solution, or infusion made by drawing out from any substance that which gives it its essential and characteristic virtue
Extract of beef
Extract of dandelion
Vanilla extract
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
Any substance extracted is such a way, and characteristic of that from which it is obtained
Quinine is the most important extract of Peruvian bark.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
A solid preparation obtained by evaporating a solution of a drug, etc., or the fresh juice of a plant (distinguished from an abstract).
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
(obsolete) A peculiar principle (fundamental essence) once erroneously supposed to form the basis of all vegetable extracts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
A draft or copy of writing; a certified copy of the proceedings in an action and the judgment therein, with an order for execution.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
(transitive) To draw out; to pull out; to remove forcibly from a fixed position, as by traction or suction, etc.
To extract a tooth from its socket, a stump from the earth, or a splinter from the finger
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
(transitive) To withdraw by expression, distillation, or other mechanical or chemical process. Compare abstract (transitive verb).
To extract an essential oil from a plant
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
(transitive) To take by selection; to choose out; to cite or quote, as a passage from a book.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
(transitive) To select parts of a whole
We need to try to extract the positives from the defeat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
To determine (a root of a number).
Please extract the cube root of 27.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
To draw out or forth; to pull out; to remove forcibly from a fixed position, as by traction or suction, etc.; as, to extract a tooth from its socket, a stump from the earth, a splinter from the finger.
The beeSits on the bloom extracting liquid sweet.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Extract
To take by selection; to choose out; to cite or quote, as a passage from a book.
I have extracted out of that pamphlet a few notorious falsehoods.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Extract
A portion of a book or document, separately transcribed; a citation; a quotation.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Extract
A decoction, solution, or infusion made by dissolving out from any substance that which gives it its essential and characteristic virtue; essence; as, extract of beef; extract of dandelion; also, any substance so extracted, and characteristic of that from which it is obtained; as, quinine is the most important extract of Peruvian bark.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Extract
A peculiar principle once erroneously supposed to form the basis of all vegetable extracts; - called also the extractive principle.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Extract
A draught or copy of writing; certified copy of the proceedings in an action and the judgement therein, with an order for execution.
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
A solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water)
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
A passage selected from a larger work;
He presented excerpts from William James' philosophical writings
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
Draw or pull out, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense;
Pull weeds
Extract a bad tooth
Take out a splinter
Extract information from the telegram
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
Get despite difficulties or obstacles;
I extracted a promise from the Dean for two ne positions
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
Deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning);
We drew out some interesting linguistic data from the native informant
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
Extract by the process of distillation;
Distill the essence of this compound
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
Obtain from a substance, as by mechanical action;
Italians express coffee rather than filter it
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Oct 19, 2023
Extract
To physically draw out by force or with specialized tools.
The dentist extracted the impacted tooth.
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Nov 10, 2023
Extract
To derive information or select for use.
She extracted the main points from the article for her presentation.
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Nov 10, 2023
Extract
To remove or take out, especially by effort or force.
The team worked to extract the fossil from the surrounding rock.
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Nov 10, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does it mean to extract a tooth?
It means to remove a tooth from its socket in the jawbone.
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Nov 27, 2023
Can extract be used in a non-physical sense?
Yes, such as extracting information from data.
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Nov 27, 2023
What does it mean to extract a file?
It means to retrieve and open a compressed file.
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Nov 27, 2023
Can you extricate a piece of information?
Typically, no. Extricate is not used for information retrieval.
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Nov 27, 2023
Is extricate used for removing substances?
No, it's used for freeing from a constraint or entanglement.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can you extricate someone from a situation?
Yes, meaning to free them from a complex or harmful situation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Does extract imply a difficult process?
Not always; it can be simple or complex depending on the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can extract refer to a passage from a book?
Yes, it can mean quoting or selecting a part of a text.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Is extricate a common term in emergency services?
Yes, especially referring to freeing someone from a wreck.
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Nov 27, 2023
Can you extract a sound from a noisy background?
Yes, it means to isolate the sound from the noise.
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Nov 27, 2023
Do extricate and extract have the same root?
Yes, both come from Latin "trahere," meaning "to pull."
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Nov 27, 2023
Can extraction be used in cooking?
Yes, such as extracting flavors from herbs.
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Nov 27, 2023
Can you extract someone from a meeting?
Figuratively, yes, meaning to take them out of the meeting.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
What does extricate mean in legal terms?
It means to free someone from a legal complication.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Can you extract an app from a device?
In a way, meaning to remove or uninstall it.
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Nov 27, 2023
What's an example of extricating in a social context?
Helping someone avoid a conversation they don't want to be in.
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Nov 27, 2023
Is extricating a quick process?
It can be, but it often involves careful maneuvering.
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Nov 27, 2023
Is extricate ever used in a scientific context?
Rarely; it's more common in practical or metaphorical uses.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Does extract have a figurative use?
Yes, such as extracting the truth from a complex situation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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