to gouge; to hollow out; to bore; to excavate; to scoop out
to greatly perturb; to cause emotional pain
to get to the bottom of things; to relentlessly bring the truth to light
「抉る」 has other readings with different meanings.
スプーンでメロンの果肉を抉った。
I scooped out the melon flesh with a spoon.
機械がコンクリートを抉っている現場を見た。
I saw a site where a machine was gouging out concrete.
傷口が深く抉るように痛んだ。
The wound ached with a deep, scooping pain.