PROTRACTED Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

protracted 1 of 2

adjective

as in prolonged

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

protracted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of protract

as in lengthened

to make longer the highway project was protracted by years of litigation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 protracted

Adjective

And while the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could ultimately become involved if there is a protracted lockout, history has shown that attempting to ram a labor deal on the players might not go as planned. — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Set during the protracted period of economic decline in 1970s Ghana, two sisters, Evelyn and Maggie, make a deal to run away to the US to start a new life together. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 1 July 2026 The announcement stands in stark contrast with the situation across the Bay, where talks between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland and hundreds of other abuse victims remain mired in a protracted and increasingly bitter stalemate. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 Former health minister Wes Streeting, viewed as a potential challenger, has instead backed Burnham's bid, easing some concern about a protracted and divisive leadership battle. — Gail Krishnan, CNBC, 23 June 2026 The shootings have highlighted a protracted debate over Missouri’s gun laws, among the loosest in the nation, and local leaders’ yearslong struggle to combat homicides and fatal shootings. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026 Two people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that the four-time NFL MVP agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Steelers on Saturday, ending a protracted decision-making process. — Will Graves, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026 Two people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that the four-time NFL MVP agreed to a one-year deal to return to Pittsburgh on Saturday, ending a protracted decision-making process. — ABC News, 16 May 2026 The already acrimonious relationship continued to sour amid a protracted and bitter legal battle, and as Dan started dating Kolkena, before eventually proposing to her. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026

Verb

Last season, Van Hecke led the English top flight in line-breaking passes (457), a highly encouraging feat, considering Tottenham’s protracted struggles in building central possession through the thirds. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 20 June 2026 Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton California’s crowded and protracted gubernatorial primary is going to take a little more time to settle. — Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 3 June 2026 The utilities, by offering to settle in return for an acknowledgment of Gillett’s decision-making, are agreeing to the dismissal – without costs to any party – of what was shaping up as protracted, costly and ultimately losing litigation for the state. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026 Russia’s war with Ukraine showed that wars could be protracted and require deep inventories of advanced weapons, Cancian said. — ABC News, 27 May 2026 And nobody has ever designed a reactor for the moon, a hostile volcanic desert subject to extreme temperature swings, frequent asteroid strikes and protracted quakes. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 19 May 2026 After some protracted legal drama, Subnautica 2 is finally about to launch. — Jay Peters, The Verge, 30 Apr. 2026 The back-and-forth between Kehoe and Johnson offered a window into a yearslong, protracted debate over Missouri’s gun laws, among the loosest in the nation. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026 Know More Hochstein noted that complex nuclear deals involve protracted negotiations on issues such as verification, enrichment levels, and reporting. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for protracted

Adjective

This enables faster evaluation of new battery materials and cell designs without relying solely on prolonged physical testing.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026
But the county ran into significant snags on its portion, including a costly and prolonged environmental impact study required for federal funding.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026

Definition of prolonged

Verb

As a second-generation Taiwanese American, my family made frequent trips between California and the island nation, an arduous 15-hour flight, lengthened by stopovers in Hawaii or Alaska in the early days.

— Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Commissioning budgets have tightened, development cycles have lengthened and the opportunities for growing indies to scale have become increasingly limited.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 2 July 2026

Definition of lengthened

Adjective

There would be no interminable seated supper, but delicacies served at stations that allowed this crowd to mingle and gossip in equal measure.

— Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Back in the day, Wathan felt like five-plus years was an interminable wait to get to the major leagues.

— Vahe Gregorian July 5, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026

Definition of interminable

Verb

Aerial video captured by ABC7 showed smoke rising from a smoldering truck as a long line of cars extended south of the incident.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
After a two-month grace period — which Wellcare extended to three — Medicare drug plans can drop customers who don't pay their premiums, no matter how small the amount.

— Susan Jaffe, NPR, 6 July 2026

Definition of extended

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

Verb

Stars including Reese Witherspoon, Emma Stone and Paul Rudd were seen departing the venue after the festivities began Friday evening and stretched until the early hours of Saturday morning.

— Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Brazil were energetic and vertical, Vinicius Junior and Rayan stretched their opponents and Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner was just reward.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of stretched

Verb

And Harleys has entirely redesigned the rear -suspension and increased its travel 117 per cent to five inches (13 cm).

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
The share of workers with hybrid schedules has increased a bit, while the share in fully remote positions has only seen a slight decline.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Definition of increased

Browse Nearby Words

protract

protracted

protracting

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Protracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracted. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of protracted

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on protracted

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

yaw

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes