as in lengthened
to make longer
the highway project was protracted by years of litigation
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as in prolonged
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Recent Examples of protracted
Jared Perlo, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
What neither side has devised is an easy offramp to prevent what could become a protracted closure.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
However, there is little to suggest that the conflict – one of the most protracted and complex conflicts in the world – is easing in any way.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Why the odds look better this time The conflict between the Turkish state and the PKK has been one of the most protracted and violent struggles in the world.
—Alpaslan Ozerdem, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
Ernst was a focus of major attention during the protracted discussion over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's confirmation.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2025
The alternative is a protracted and costly legal battle.
—Vincent Turley, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
Has the Jewish state and its military made mistakes during its protracted and brutal war with Hamas?
—Avi Weiss, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2025
Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Supporters lauded the new law, which allows tall buildings along transit corridors, as a breakthrough in the state’s protracted housing crisis.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025
The writing process had grown so protracted that the Duffers had to start feeding draft pages to their department heads so sets and costumes could be ready in time to shoot.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
The reversal was the first step in what will likely be a long, protracted set of legal proceedings.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
That all changed a year ago, when Mohamed — now a rambunctious 13-year-old — was able to enter an innovative self-learning program delivered by UNICEF with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises hosted by UNICEF.
—Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
In its final episodes, the show builds to a climax that’s protracted over several episodes, drawing out the series’ ideas about masculinity, rage, and forgiveness.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
Investing in and becoming Chair of Sipur is her first big move since Paramount’s protracted and high-profile $8B Skydance merger.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2025
Her decision to accept voluntary departure shows that immigrants who grew up in the United States, many with no criminal record, are choosing to leave on their own accord rather than endure months of detention and protracted legal battles.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
The subpoenas and tactics at issue in Friday’s statements stem from a protracted and heated legal battle involving Musk.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
What neither side has devised is an easy offramp to prevent what could become a protracted closure.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
However, there is little to suggest that the conflict – one of the most protracted and complex conflicts in the world – is easing in any way.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Why the odds look better this time The conflict between the Turkish state and the PKK has been one of the most protracted and violent struggles in the world.
—Alpaslan Ozerdem, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
Ernst was a focus of major attention during the protracted discussion over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's confirmation.
—Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2025
The alternative is a protracted and costly legal battle.
—Vincent Turley, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
Has the Jewish state and its military made mistakes during its protracted and brutal war with Hamas?
—Avi Weiss, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
On Tuesday, Rio de Janeiro’s governor claimed the operation in Alemão was larger than an infamous, protracted security crisis the neighborhood experienced in 2010.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Supporters lauded the new law, which allows tall buildings along transit corridors, as a breakthrough in the state’s protracted housing crisis.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025
The writing process had grown so protracted that the Duffers had to start feeding draft pages to their department heads so sets and costumes could be ready in time to shoot.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
The reversal was the first step in what will likely be a long, protracted set of legal proceedings.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
That all changed a year ago, when Mohamed — now a rambunctious 13-year-old — was able to enter an innovative self-learning program delivered by UNICEF with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises hosted by UNICEF.
—Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
In its final episodes, the show builds to a climax that’s protracted over several episodes, drawing out the series’ ideas about masculinity, rage, and forgiveness.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
Investing in and becoming Chair of Sipur is her first big move since Paramount’s protracted and high-profile $8B Skydance merger.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2025
Her decision to accept voluntary departure shows that immigrants who grew up in the United States, many with no criminal record, are choosing to leave on their own accord rather than endure months of detention and protracted legal battles.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protracted
Verb
-
The idea is that once the consolidated sleep pattern has been established, it can be lengthened over time.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
His telomeres, protective caps on chromosomes, lengthened in space, only to shorten rapidly upon return.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The charts suggest that gold and gold miners are due for a more prolonged period of consolidation to reset their bullish long-term trends.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The difference between cuts at both retail giants is Target has seen a prolonged downturn in sales that forced CEO Brian Cornell to step down from his role.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That deal would come in the form of an executive order rather than a treaty requiring congressional approval, mirroring the guarantee recently extended to Qatar following Israel’s strike on a Hamas compound in Doha in September.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Through subsequent collaborations with the Huang Daopo Memorial Park and thematic workshops, the forum extended this cultural dialogue into the public’s humanistic ecosystem.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
To get there, the Norwegian explorers navigated the interminable snowfields of interior Antarctica, trudging through the harshest climates on earth for 56 days.—
Brad Japhe,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Oct. 2025
-
And, then, how federal workers are coping with the interminable government shutdown.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ohtani did get into the seventh inning for a pitching staff stretched thin by Tuesday’s doubleheader-in-one Game 3.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The crowd, which began forming early in the morning outside The Pavilion at Ole Miss, stretched across campus as students wore MAGA hats and 'Freedom' shirts in tribute to the slain Turning Point founder.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Pontiac’s Firebird had a longish life in car years, with four generations spanning 1967 to 2002.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Just as the group’s base as increased to more than 100 people, its gatherings have evolved too beyond BTS visits to the Met.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Since the governor announced the proposal in August, the measure has only increased in popularity among Democrats — receiving support from former President Barack Obama and others.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Despite spending the whole three-hour awards show telling people that their overlong speeches were losing the Boys & Girls Club of America money, the bit was a ruse.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Protracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracted. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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