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
Will Graves, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
Two people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that the four-time NFL MVP agreed to a one-year deal to return to Pittsburgh on Saturday, ending a protracted decision-making process.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
The already acrimonious relationship continued to sour amid a protracted and bitter legal battle, and as Dan started dating Kolkena, before eventually proposing to her.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
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
Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
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
Adjective
Two people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that the four-time NFL MVP agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Steelers on Saturday, ending a protracted decision-making process.
—Will Graves, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
Two people with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that the four-time NFL MVP agreed to a one-year deal to return to Pittsburgh on Saturday, ending a protracted decision-making process.
—ABC News, 16 May 2026
The already acrimonious relationship continued to sour amid a protracted and bitter legal battle, and as Dan started dating Kolkena, before eventually proposing to her.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
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
Verb
And nobody has ever designed a reactor for the moon, a hostile volcanic desert subject to extreme temperature swings, frequent asteroid strikes and protracted quakes.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protracted
Adjective
-
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office said a veterinarian who examined the dogs reported that most were underweight, with many showing signs of flea infestation, parasites and prolonged neglect.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
-
The pandemic, followed by the 2023 entertainment-industry strikes and the 2025 fires led to a prolonged loss of business.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Ukraine has lengthened its striking arm and is now wreaking havoc across European Russia, much of which is now vulnerable to drone attacks.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Over the past several decades, as global temperatures have risen, the growing season has lengthened in many parts of North America.—
Levi Keller,
The Conversation,
5 May 2026
Adjective
-
Like a bright headlight facing you dead on or the sudden honk of a loud horn, only the jump scares keep you from falling asleep during the seemingly interminable Passenger.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
-
Little happens other than chain-smoking, costume changes and interminable shots of color-shifting strobe lighting splaying across the cast’s cheekbones.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The disparities also extended to preventable deaths before age 75, including deaths tied to drug overdoses, car crashes and treatable illnesses.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
-
While it’s suggested early on that Phil has a temper on the ice, flashbacks show viewers that his anger and violence extended to his family as well.—
Katie Mannion,
PEOPLE,
14 May 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
-
The dispute has stretched on for roughly 18 months, with neighbors repeatedly appearing at Wheat Ridge City Council meetings asking for changes.—
Jamie Leary,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
-
Evans went on to become a beloved figure in daytime television, building a career that has stretched across generations of viewers.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some unnecessary, overlong scenes do drag, allowing the audience to get sidetracked.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The lead times for high-voltage transformers, essential for grid interconnection, have increased to as long as four years.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
On Darlene Lane, the flow of contamination increased in late April and continues to seep into their neighbor’s yard.—
Nick Bowlin,
ProPublica,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracted. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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