decades-long
adjective
de·cades-long
ˈde-ˌkādz-ˌlȯŋ 
variants
or less commonly decadeslong
: lasting two or more decades : occurring over a period of two or more decades
… no discussion of wolf research would be complete without mention of this fascinating, decades-long study.—
Robert R. Ream
Robert R. ReamHis decades-long accumulation of books makes an eclectic mix …—Stephen Mihm
Stephen MihmExamples of decades-long in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Halo is Xbox, and Xbox is Halo, and console warriors participating in the decades-long fanboy battle against Sony and PlayStation point to Master Chief as their four-star general.
—Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
While immensely kind and appreciative to Marie, Polarity (Sean Patrick Thomas) and the gang for helping free him from a decades-long nightmare, Doug was not long for this world.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Williams decades-long career as a venerated professional tennis player earned the former athlete a place among Friday’s award recipients.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Forced to enroll at Nevermore Academy — her parents' alma mater for misfit monsters — Wednesday finds herself in the middle of a decades-long mystery, using her wit and psychic abilities to solve the boarding school's deepest, darkest secrets.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decades-long
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
While immensely kind and appreciative to Marie, Polarity (Sean Patrick Thomas) and the gang for helping free him from a decades-long nightmare, Doug was not long for this world.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Williams decades-long career as a venerated professional tennis player earned the former athlete a place among Friday’s award recipients.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Forced to enroll at Nevermore Academy — her parents' alma mater for misfit monsters — Wednesday finds herself in the middle of a decades-long mystery, using her wit and psychic abilities to solve the boarding school's deepest, darkest secrets.
—Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decades-long
Cite this Entry
“Decades-long.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decades-long. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share