protract

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb protract contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of protract are extend, lengthen, and prolong. While all these words mean "to draw out or add to so as to increase in length," protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.

protracted litigation

How are the words extend and lengthen related as synonyms of protract?

Both 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

Where would prolong be a reasonable alternative to protract?

In some situations, the words prolong and protract are roughly equivalent. However, prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

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 protract Rohl previously spent six months at St Mary’s in 2018-19 as Hasenhuttl’s assistant, but protracted talks with Sheffield Wednesday collapsed after a compensation package could not be agreed. Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 The parents who are left behind often face skepticism about the severity of these cases, which can sometimes take years of searching, the work of multiple law enforcement agencies and protracted legal battles to resolve. N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2025 The more it is protracted the greater the risk of nuclear meltdowns at power plants or weapons usage (either through oceanic/terrestrial tests or in the war theater). Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 The deaths are at once spasmodically grisly—there will be bloody vomit—and agonizingly protracted. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for protract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protract
Verb
  • Improves Flexibility and Balance Traditional stretches typically involve moving or holding certain body parts in place to lengthen muscle fibers, which is a way to warm up the body.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025
  • Brown mascara is gaining traction for its ability to awaken the eyes and lengthen lashes subtly, without the harshness of a traditional black.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • President Trump, Vice President Vance React to First American Pope Announcement World leaders across continents extended messages of hope, unity and spiritual solidarity Thursday after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • The firm managed to extend the life of the hardware thanks to hit games involving characters like Super Mario, franchises such as Pokemon and the expansion of its intellectual property into films.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • The leader's office added that an unconditional ceasefire means that no conditions are attached, and any attempt to impose conditions indicates an intention to prolong the war and undermine diplomacy.
    Isabel van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • Their major failures included prolonging the Vietnam War and coddling bloodthirsty Latin American dictators.
    Frank McNeil, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Autism rates increased, again: But RFK Jr. diverges from CDC report about the reason.
    Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Under the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA), the filing threshold was increased to $11,580,000 in 2020, and $11,700,000 in 2021 and is adjusted for inflation thereafter through 2025.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • At a startup showcase associated with the World Bank Spring meetings, entrepreneurs talked about the never-ending search for capital that is now stretching across banks, family offices, investors and economic development funds.
    Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
  • As the demonstrations stretched across the summer and fall, students took action too.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Protract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protract. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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