The term "winkled" can be synonymous with a few different words that convey a sense of extracting or eliciting information or reactions. These words include "coaxed," "prodded," "prompted," "persuaded," and "extracted." Each of these words implies a subtle or sometimes overt effort to gain someone's confidence or trust, either through conversation or other means. Whether it's a detective trying to solve a crime, a journalist uncovering a story, or just a friend trying to get a secret out of another friend, these synonyms for "winkled" all suggest the art of getting someone to reveal something they might not have otherwise divulged.