protracts

verb

present tense third-person singular of protract
as in lengthens
to make longer the highway project was protracted by years of litigation

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for protracts
  1. lengthens
  2. extends
  3. stretches
  4. increases
  5. prolongs
Verb
  • Tucking your chin gently toward the floor while lying down lengthens the back of the neck.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
  • Its bitterness opens the palate, while the tea lengthens the drink without relying on more alcohol.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of lengthens
Verb
  • Chicago is, to its core, a music city, with a heritage that extends far beyond the reputation of, say, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
    — Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
  • But the power of the family concept extends well beyond ownership into the organization’s operating model.
    — Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of extends
Verb
  • From a remote hilltop just north of Nablus, the view stretches across the occupied West Bank.
    — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • Seek a challenge, skill, project or perspective that stretches you beyond your routine.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of stretches
Verb
  • Though present, they are not enabled by default and require overriding hidden FeatureFlags, which increases user risk.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Thus the image is both cropped at the top and bottom and blown up in a way that increases the grain and softness.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 21 July 2026
Definition of increases
Verb
  • Whey proteins from Greek yogurt digest relatively quickly, while casein in cottage cheese forms a gastric gel that slows digestion and prolongs nutrient absorption.
    — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 23 July 2026
  • Chief Estella Patterson told committee members officers have a hard time determining the exact age of juveniles without an ID, which delays the investigation and prolongs police interactions.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026
Definition of prolongs
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.

Browse Nearby Words

protraction
protracts
protrude
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Cite this Entry

“Protracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracts. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on protracts

Nglish: Translation of protracts for Spanish Speakers

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