Is the verb "tease out" too informal?

Question

As dictionary.com defines it:

tease out:

(phrasal verb) -- To get by or as if by untangling or releasing with a pointed tool or device, e.g. "It takes a carefully trained expert to tease out the truth" (Arthur Green).

I'm writing a college paper and I'm not sure if this word is too informal to use or not. There's no usage note or anything at dictionary.com, but I don't know--I don't trust it.

So what do you think?

If it is too informal--or even if it's not--can you think of any synonyms that could be used in its place?

Thanks!

Good call, brandy. Here's the sentence--well, something like it:

"After analyzing the data, Herbert Johannsen was able to several conclusions."

Answer 1

Depends on what you are talking about. If you are talking about hair, then no. If you are talking about anything else, then yes. Instead use 'untangle or extricate.' IMHO

Answer 2

hmmm elucidate, discern, glean, manifest... hard to say without the sentence you want to use.

Answer 3

squeeze out