OVERLONG Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

overlong

adjective

Definition of overlong

as in prolonged

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of overlong Some unnecessary, overlong scenes do drag, allowing the audience to get sidetracked. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 May 2026 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 For instance, while most of the movie is about the title character, a 34-year-old lieutenant governor played by Emma Mackey, there is an overlong subplot about Ella’s younger brother, Casey (Spike Fearn), that encapsulates the tonal dysfunction of the movie. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025 Musically, Swift’s pivot toward concision feels like a response to claims that her last album was repetitive and overlong. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overlong

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlong

Adjective

Now, the City of Oakland is suing the property owner, Mosser Living, alleging elderly and disabled tenants were left stranded in their homes and that the prolonged elevator outage was part of a much broader pattern of neglect.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Daniel Bader, a senior staff associate at Columbia’s Climate School, tells me that this past winter, when a prolonged cold snap killed at least 29 people, was indeed tough.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of prolonged

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

Definition of longish

Adjective

Sources at Arsenal and Newcastle suggest that the protracted pursuit of Guimaraes is now entering its end game.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Less of a reboot than a shameless do-over, Marc Webb‘s first Spider-Man film tells a more protracted origin story, with half the fun and twice the self-importance (the film earns a rare dead-dad hat trick).

— Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of protracted

Adjective

The pandemic, after all, sliced history definitively into an unknowing before, an interminable during, and a maybe-one-day after.

— Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
After a seemingly interminable break for Wednesday, which saw a dramatic drop for season 2 viewership, the show spooled up production on season 3 right after the second season was streaming.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of interminable

Adjective

Why recruiting became political The Pentagon is emerging from the yearslong recruiting slump that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, easing one of the military's most persistent political headaches that drew bipartisan anxiety on Capitol Hill.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
There is also persistent friction between Arab and Kurdish communities in the northeast of the country, and the government has had to respond to pockets of violence against the religious Alawite minority along Syria’s coast.

— Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of persistent

Adjective

Head coach Eckert being hit with three Football Association misconduct charges means the saga may yet cast a further shadow over the new campaign, especially as the German could be facing a lengthy ban.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
The moves come as 311 has received nearly 3,000 complaints related to dog waste citywide so far this year, including a significant spike after the lengthy, lingering snow pileups this winter.

— Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of lengthy

Adjective

As a reader, my interest in other people’s work and ideas is essentially endless.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
Film promotion isn’t for the weak—a press tour requires long, grueling days (often in faraway cities), endless obligations, and, as a result, innumerable outfit changes.

— Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of endless

Browse Nearby Words

overloads

overlong

overlook

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“Overlong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlong. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of overlong

adjective

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