as in lengthening
to make longer
pointless questions that merely dragged out the meeting another hour
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dragging (out)
Verb
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The regulation also would extend the time asylum seekers must wait before becoming eligible to apply for a work permit, lengthening the period from 150 days to 365 days.—
Andrea Castillo Los Angeles Times,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026 -
Bootcut is the style of the season thanks to its leg-lengthening effect and versatility.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When Democrats attempted to install a map drawing out the lone Republican congressman from the Old Line State during the initial redistricting period this decade, the state’s high court struck it down, resulting in the current map that maintains the lone GOP seat.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Feb. 2026
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The entire composition is then exposed to a corrosive liquid, which oxidizes the copper in the textile, drawing out a chemical-looking green that circulates through the narrow channels between the foil sheets.—
Theo Belci,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Throughout these years, Ma began to feel an increasing sense of remorse at his complicity in this system, which sparked deeper soul-searching around his identity as a Muslim, and what that meant within Chinese society.—
Rebecca Wright,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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Beef prices have been increasing since the beginning of the decade.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By extending the life cycle of creative equipment, MPB actively reduces waste and the carbon footprint of the photo and video industry — proving that used doesn’t mean used up.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
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The flower buds may not open all at once, extending the blooming period.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Parker led 36-25 at halftime and just kept pulling away, stretching the lead to 16, 19 and 21 points in the third quarter.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
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Projections show multi-trillion-dollar deficits stretching into the indefinite future.—
Les Rubin,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Dragging (out).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dragging%20%28out%29. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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