as in prolonged
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as in lengthened
to make longer
the highway project was protracted by years of litigation
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Recent Examples of protracted
Zach Iscol, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
The major reinforcement comes as the war’s economic shock waves are felt throughout the world as Washington signaled a protracted conflict.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Many of those surveyed said homelessness, loitering, drug use and public nuisances, along with protracted and intensive municipal construction projects, deter customers from visiting establishments.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Trump has criticized his Democratic predecessors for engaging in protracted conflicts in the Middle East.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
What Moscow hoped, according to analysts, would be an elegant decapitation strike lasting mere days quickly became a protracted and bloody brawl.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Read the latest updates from the protracted questioning here.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Violent conflicts have been erupting at a brisk frequency, getting bloodier, and more protracted.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
South Africa — which is embroiled in a protracted dispute with the US over Pretoria’s Black empowerment laws, among other issues — went further, calling Washington’s move a violation of the UN Charter.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
And, creditors generally prefer payment to protracted legal battles, so reaching out with a potential solution and negotiating an agreement both parties sign off on could accelerate resolution.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
But when a trio of dangerous outsiders interrupt the deadly weekend getaway Dan and Lisa had planned, what should have been a game of marital cat and mouse turns into a deliciously gory, if overly protracted, battle for survival.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
Player compensation had to be structured to build investment and reward success, which is what the WNBA’s protracted labor battle is all about.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
It could be protracted with many of our troops – MAGA sons and daughters – coming home in body bags.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
Regardless of how the administration decides to proceed, there’ll be new legal challenges and protracted confusion.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
Desai, whose directorial work at the Taper thus far has brought together rave and rebellion, smoothly merges the Dionysian frenzy of the music with the nonviolent revolution that ended Ferdinand Marcos’ protracted dictatorship in 1986.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
The pending standoff could get ugly, then protracted, maybe consuming an entire season.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Opponents will note the Vietnam draft didn’t prevent a protracted, catastrophic war.
—Zach Iscol, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
The major reinforcement comes as the war’s economic shock waves are felt throughout the world as Washington signaled a protracted conflict.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Many of those surveyed said homelessness, loitering, drug use and public nuisances, along with protracted and intensive municipal construction projects, deter customers from visiting establishments.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Trump has criticized his Democratic predecessors for engaging in protracted conflicts in the Middle East.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
What Moscow hoped, according to analysts, would be an elegant decapitation strike lasting mere days quickly became a protracted and bloody brawl.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Read the latest updates from the protracted questioning here.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Violent conflicts have been erupting at a brisk frequency, getting bloodier, and more protracted.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
South Africa — which is embroiled in a protracted dispute with the US over Pretoria’s Black empowerment laws, among other issues — went further, calling Washington’s move a violation of the UN Charter.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the agreement at the Australian Parliament House after protracted negotiations that began in 2018.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
And, creditors generally prefer payment to protracted legal battles, so reaching out with a potential solution and negotiating an agreement both parties sign off on could accelerate resolution.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
But when a trio of dangerous outsiders interrupt the deadly weekend getaway Dan and Lisa had planned, what should have been a game of marital cat and mouse turns into a deliciously gory, if overly protracted, battle for survival.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
Player compensation had to be structured to build investment and reward success, which is what the WNBA’s protracted labor battle is all about.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
It could be protracted with many of our troops – MAGA sons and daughters – coming home in body bags.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
Regardless of how the administration decides to proceed, there’ll be new legal challenges and protracted confusion.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
Desai, whose directorial work at the Taper thus far has brought together rave and rebellion, smoothly merges the Dionysian frenzy of the music with the nonviolent revolution that ended Ferdinand Marcos’ protracted dictatorship in 1986.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
The pending standoff could get ugly, then protracted, maybe consuming an entire season.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protracted
Adjective
-
Much of the West has been coping with prolonged drought conditions that are now being worsened by historically low seasonal snowpack and persistent record-breaking temperatures.—
Daniel Manzo,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The industry still cannot come to grips with the previously unfathomable scenario of the strait staying shuttered for a prolonged period of time.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But having firefighters wait before starting preparations also delays when they can be dispatched to emergencies, which has lengthened response times — and has likely cost many lives across the city, the 60-page audit says.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Analysts also raised concerns about the strength of the 10-year service agreement, suggesting it could be lengthened to hold data center companies accountable for long-term infrastructure costs.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s so much vying for your attention, including a Sisyphus figure in the background rolling his interminable burden up and down an incline, that the maskwork that comes into play can begin to feel like Brechtian overkill.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Costly, interminable and unsuccessful wars are not a formula for presidential popularity.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yes, Kaufman-Renn’s quick hands at the rim extended a special NCAA Tournament run for Purdue.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Shah’s Western orientation extended to culture, and a wide range of artistically important international films could be seen in Tehran, in time including those of the French New Wave.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The errand conveniently provided the opportunity for a longish highway test of Lexus’ newest luxury people-mover.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
-
When the front door opens, they’re greeted by an androgynous person with longish hair, thick eyebrows and a deep voice.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Times of India found workers in Chirag Dilli, the city’s dumpling-making capital, so stretched for fuel that some had given up on steaming and had turned operations over to chow mein.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In downtown Elgin, a crowd stretched from North Grove Avenue to Foundry Park on Route 31 and a similar event brought out hundreds gathered on Randall Road in South Elgin.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This solid, slightly-overlong watch is best at capturing how time and trauma turn daily life into valuable history.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The pacing is overlong, removing much of the tension and excitement that make thrillers so fascinating to watch.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Airport security lines increased, some stretching multiple hours in hubs such as Houston and Atlanta, as TSA officers called out and hundreds across the country quit.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
JetBlue increased the fees as airlines maneuver to cover their rising jet fuel costs, which have soared since the Iran war began.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracted. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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