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
Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
The Ravens conducted a protracted search, hiring Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter — one of Harbaugh’s former assistants — as the franchise’s fourth head coach.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Like past reauthorizations, FISA 702's renewal has sparked a protracted debate on Capitol Hill over if and how the tool should be modified.
—Eric McDaniel, NPR, 17 Apr. 2026
Protesters pointed to the war in Iran, as well as a protracted government funding standoff over immigration enforcement that has left airport security lines snarled and federal workers unpaid.
—Nik Popli, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
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
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
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
Adjective
Whether the Russian military is capable of protecting the capital amid a protracted and bloody war with Ukraine appears to be an open question now.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
The Ravens conducted a protracted search, hiring Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter — one of Harbaugh’s former assistants — as the franchise’s fourth head coach.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Like past reauthorizations, FISA 702's renewal has sparked a protracted debate on Capitol Hill over if and how the tool should be modified.
—Eric McDaniel, NPR, 17 Apr. 2026
Protesters pointed to the war in Iran, as well as a protracted government funding standoff over immigration enforcement that has left airport security lines snarled and federal workers unpaid.
—Nik Popli, Time, 28 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protracted
Adjective
-
Spores require prolonged leaf wetness and are easily spread by air movement.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Late-stage treatment is complex, prolonged, and expensive.—
Armstrong Williams,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The one concern with Mesidor are the injury issues that lengthened his stay in the college ranks to six years.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Prior to the 2002 masters, Augusta lengthened over half the holes and narrowed fairways.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The dialogue soon grew interminable.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Those include two projects held over from last year — interminable work at the Hunt Club Road and Washington Street intersection in Gurnee, along with the Arlington Heights Road at Lake-Cook Road reconstruction job in Buffalo Grove.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This offer will be extended to Spears on Monday, according to the district attorney’s office.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
However, due to the Passover holiday this month, the deadline for mail-in-ballots was extended to April 28.—
Helen Acevedo,
Miami Herald,
30 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
-
Russell Lansford / Imagn Images On Saturday, a broken line of showers and thunderstorms stretched from the Gulf through the Carolinas.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
-
The main event was Musk’s testimony, which stretched over the course of three days, wrapping up on Thursday.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
2 May 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
-
In Washington, teacher pay increased 36%.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Since then, and despite some notable lapses, the agency has steadily increased its protective methodologies, techniques and technologies to mitigate threats of varying degrees.—
Donald J. Mihalek,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracted. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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