as in lengthened
to make longer
the highway project was protracted by years of litigation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prolonged
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protracted
Adjective
-
Ice can cause slips and prolonged exposure to cold surfaces can lead to discomfort and even ice burn.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025 -
During the early part of the 1970s, Harold Boyd began the prolonged process of distancing himself from the title that had defined his career.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
This policy appears to have extended to interactions with the press as well.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
-
There, organizers counted 6,000 peaceful protesters who filled the State Street Bridge over the Fox River and extended for several blocks in either direction.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Man United’s Leah Galton: Winning FA Cup with fractured leg and chasing a ‘bit of revenge’ against Chelsea Manchester United are in an interminable holding pattern, but will this XI change for the Europa League final?—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
-
Jones’ publicly stated desire to bail on this interminable Blackhawks rebuild — no matter how reasonable, no matter how maturely handled — isn’t going to help matters.—
Mark Lazerus,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Word to the wise: the end credits are more like a Marvel movie as they are interrupted by a longish extra scene that includes a special cast member, blues legend Buddy Guy, plus yet another musical number at the end of credits.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Kraven, as played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson in longish hair and a beard but not much else that really distinguishes him (he’s ripped!—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
11 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Instead of service being needed every 3,000 miles, it is expected to be increased to a range of 15,000 to 20,000 miles.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The case occurred in a trial that quickly increased the dose of the pill over a short period of time, the spokesperson said.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That's not inherently a bad choice, but in this instance the overarching story feels both overlong and underwhelming as tiny pieces of the narrative are introduced without being fully explained.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
-
And Dorian, despite the visual inventiveness on display, does go a bit overboard and overlong at times, particularly in a late, extended scene that makes use of pre-recorded outdoor footage that allows more than one Snook to race through a forest.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The study reported that almost half of physicians who were persistent cigarette smokers were killed by their habit, and a quarter died before age 70.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
-
Google’s Threat Intelligence Group identifies Scattered Spider as a financially motivated threat actor known for its persistent use of social engineering and brazen communications with victims.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Protracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracted. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share