as in prolonged
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as in lengthened
to make longer
the highway project was protracted by years of litigation
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Recent Examples of protracted
Zach Iscol, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
The major reinforcement comes as the war’s economic shock waves are felt throughout the world as Washington signaled a protracted conflict.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Many of those surveyed said homelessness, loitering, drug use and public nuisances, along with protracted and intensive municipal construction projects, deter customers from visiting establishments.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Trump has criticized his Democratic predecessors for engaging in protracted conflicts in the Middle East.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
What Moscow hoped, according to analysts, would be an elegant decapitation strike lasting mere days quickly became a protracted and bloody brawl.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Read the latest updates from the protracted questioning here.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Violent conflicts have been erupting at a brisk frequency, getting bloodier, and more protracted.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
South Africa — which is embroiled in a protracted dispute with the US over Pretoria’s Black empowerment laws, among other issues — went further, calling Washington’s move a violation of the UN Charter.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 16 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
Neither side has retreated from their maximalist claims, signaling that talks could be protracted.
—Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the agreement at the Australian Parliament House after protracted negotiations that began in 2018.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
And, creditors generally prefer payment to protracted legal battles, so reaching out with a potential solution and negotiating an agreement both parties sign off on could accelerate resolution.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
But when a trio of dangerous outsiders interrupt the deadly weekend getaway Dan and Lisa had planned, what should have been a game of marital cat and mouse turns into a deliciously gory, if overly protracted, battle for survival.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
Player compensation had to be structured to build investment and reward success, which is what the WNBA’s protracted labor battle is all about.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Regardless of how the administration decides to proceed, there’ll be new legal challenges and protracted confusion.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Opponents will note the Vietnam draft didn’t prevent a protracted, catastrophic war.
—Zach Iscol, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
The major reinforcement comes as the war’s economic shock waves are felt throughout the world as Washington signaled a protracted conflict.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Many of those surveyed said homelessness, loitering, drug use and public nuisances, along with protracted and intensive municipal construction projects, deter customers from visiting establishments.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
Trump has criticized his Democratic predecessors for engaging in protracted conflicts in the Middle East.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
What Moscow hoped, according to analysts, would be an elegant decapitation strike lasting mere days quickly became a protracted and bloody brawl.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Read the latest updates from the protracted questioning here.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Violent conflicts have been erupting at a brisk frequency, getting bloodier, and more protracted.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
South Africa — which is embroiled in a protracted dispute with the US over Pretoria’s Black empowerment laws, among other issues — went further, calling Washington’s move a violation of the UN Charter.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
An amusing film if not altogether convincing, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is protracted and exceedingly hampered by imitation.
—Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 16 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
Neither side has retreated from their maximalist claims, signaling that talks could be protracted.
—Nancy A. Youssef, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed the agreement at the Australian Parliament House after protracted negotiations that began in 2018.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
And, creditors generally prefer payment to protracted legal battles, so reaching out with a potential solution and negotiating an agreement both parties sign off on could accelerate resolution.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
But when a trio of dangerous outsiders interrupt the deadly weekend getaway Dan and Lisa had planned, what should have been a game of marital cat and mouse turns into a deliciously gory, if overly protracted, battle for survival.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
Player compensation had to be structured to build investment and reward success, which is what the WNBA’s protracted labor battle is all about.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Regardless of how the administration decides to proceed, there’ll be new legal challenges and protracted confusion.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protracted
Adjective
-
These potential side effects include irritation, infection and prolonged redness.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Rowen project was first envisioned more than 20 years ago and involved a prolonged campaign to acquire the land, rezone it and invest in infrastructure.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Frustration piled, and his timetable lengthened.—
Noah Furtado,
Houston Chronicle,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Grant Holmes’ gem Friday at Chase Field in a 2-0 Braves’ win over the Diamondbacks lengthened the team’s eight-game stretch of solid pitching to start the year.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But there was something else memorable and perhaps telling about this interminable game, which clocked in at 3 hours 36 minutes — the longest nine-inning Royals game of the pitch-clock era that began in 2023.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Jeff then immediately ruins the stakes-building tension by launching into an interminable Applebee’s ad.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the licensing and consumer products side, the brand has extended across toys, publishing, digital products and lifestyle categories.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The Wild lease, which runs out in 2035, would be extended another 30 years under the renovation plan, alongside the city’s half-cent sales tax, which covers certain arena maintenance costs.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
-
In the 53rd minute, however, LAFC defenders were stretched and Werner, on the left, struck a cross that found Ousseni Bouda for the first of the Burkina Faso native’s two goals on the day.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The recovery operation stretched into the wee hours.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This solid, slightly-overlong watch is best at capturing how time and trauma turn daily life into valuable history.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The pacing is overlong, removing much of the tension and excitement that make thrillers so fascinating to watch.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The stopout population keeps growing overall, even as annual stopouts have declined and reenrollment has increased, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Overtime increased by 65% between 2019 and 2024 alone, the study said.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracted. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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