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protract

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of protract

to make longer
  • The highway project was protracted by years of litigation.
Synonyms of protract

drag (out), draw out, elongate, extend, lengthen, outstretch, prolong, stretch
Words Related to protract

amplify, enlarge, expand, increase

attenuate, thin
Near Antonyms of protract

decrease, diminish, lessen, reduce

thicken
Antonyms of protract

abbreviate, abridge, curtail, cut, cut back, shorten

Synonym Discussion of protract

extend, lengthen, prolong, protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase in length. extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range.
    • extend a vacation
    • extend welfare services
    • lengthen a skirt
    • lengthen the workweek
prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.
    • prolonged illness
protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.
    • protracted litigation

Learn More about protract

  1. See words that rhyme with protract Dictionary: Definition of protract Medical Dictionary: Definition of protract Spanish Central: Translation of protract Nglish: Translation of protract for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of protract for Arabic speakers

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