as in prolonged
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
David Brennan, ABC News, 23 Jan. 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
Many actors, in Central and Latin America and beyond, have an interest in making this experience a protracted and painful one for the United States.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
What role, for example, did Brady play in the decision to hire then-73-year-old Pete Carroll to coach a team clearly in need of a protracted rebuild?
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Amid protracted trade tensions with its largest export market, China’s manufacturing activity has slowed for the seventh consecutive month.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 31 Oct. 2025
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
Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The pending standoff could get ugly, then protracted, maybe consuming an entire season.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Like the department’s letter to the Coxes, the response made no mention of whether State Farms’ protracted delays violated laws enforced by the insurance department.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Jan. 2026
The pain of the 27-21 loss was slow, protracted, as Miami fought throughout the second half to the point of a possible game-winning drive with two minutes left, only for that drive to end in an interception.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Michigan’s winters are severe, protracted, and relentless.
—Connie Etemadi, Freep.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Migration, identity, and the future of the West At the heart of these tensions lies Europe’s protracted migration challenge.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
One can definitely look forward to more focused product development, protracted timescales for characterization projects, and a much heavier focus on monetization right from day one.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
But for now, the mutually agreed upon MOU marks a milestone in the two entities’ protracted negotiations over the terms of their working relationship.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Nearly seven years later, Kofod's successors -- again under the leadership of Frederiksen -- have faced a more protracted and aggressive campaign from Washington.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 23 Jan. 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
Many actors, in Central and Latin America and beyond, have an interest in making this experience a protracted and painful one for the United States.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
What role, for example, did Brady play in the decision to hire then-73-year-old Pete Carroll to coach a team clearly in need of a protracted rebuild?
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Amid protracted trade tensions with its largest export market, China’s manufacturing activity has slowed for the seventh consecutive month.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 31 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
In other cases, after long, protracted efforts to force their way from one club to another, the manner of leaving a club is fraught.
—Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The pending standoff could get ugly, then protracted, maybe consuming an entire season.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
Like the department’s letter to the Coxes, the response made no mention of whether State Farms’ protracted delays violated laws enforced by the insurance department.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Jan. 2026
The pain of the 27-21 loss was slow, protracted, as Miami fought throughout the second half to the point of a possible game-winning drive with two minutes left, only for that drive to end in an interception.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Michigan’s winters are severe, protracted, and relentless.
—Connie Etemadi, Freep.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Migration, identity, and the future of the West At the heart of these tensions lies Europe’s protracted migration challenge.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
One can definitely look forward to more focused product development, protracted timescales for characterization projects, and a much heavier focus on monetization right from day one.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
But for now, the mutually agreed upon MOU marks a milestone in the two entities’ protracted negotiations over the terms of their working relationship.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protracted
Adjective
-
The storm arrives as Northern California shifts out of a prolonged high-pressure pattern that brought dry, warmer weather and valley fog through much of January.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
7 Feb. 2026
-
As armed gangs now control up to 90% of metropolitan Port-au-Prince and parts of the Artibonite region -- areas that together represent roughly 60% of the electorate -- Washington has emphasized the need for stability and a swift path to elections rather than a prolonged transition.—
JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
School districts canceled class, businesses are closing for the day and warming centers lengthened hours as residents braced for the cold.—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The changes lengthened prison sentences for gang members who commit crimes.—
Sonia Pérez D,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The reward for winning is the right to unleash an interminable flood of trash talk; the price of losing is to absorb it.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Polly’s demands could be interminable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
It was originally supposed to expire in 2021 but was extended for five more years.—
VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Georgia Southern extended its lead to as much as 10 in the fourth before a 3-pointer from Texas State guard Deja Jones cut the deficit to five.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
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
-
Kravitz was originally trained as a K–6 educator in Boone, North Carolina, yet her ambitions stretched beyond the classroom.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
-
As negotiations stretched on, the district announced that schools would be closed on Monday, prompting families to scramble for childcare and alternative plans.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 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
-
That figure is used to determine the league’s cut, which for all local TV deals has since increased from 34% to 48%.—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the average new car payment has increased by $300, or more than 35%, since then to $769.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracted. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
