decades-long
adjective
de·cades-long
ˈde-ˌkādz-ˌlȯŋ 
variants
or less commonly decadeslong
: lasting two or more decades : occurring over a period of two or more decades
a decades-long career
… no discussion of wolf research would be complete without mention of this fascinating, decades-long study.—
Robert R. Ream
Robert R. ReamHis decades-long accumulation of books makes an eclectic mix …—Stephen Mihm
Stephen MihmExamples of decades-long in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His new doctrine fueled a decades-long war – one that ultimately carried the communist movement to victory and state power in Beijing in 1949.
—Dhruv Tikekar, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
This decades-long effort has indeed reduced emissions in America and the European Union compared with 1990 levels, the year set in the Kyoto Protocol.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
Yearly case counts have generally been low since 2000, when the US declared measles eliminated thanks to a decades-long vaccination campaign.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
In rich countries with more formal labor markets, such as the US and the UK, this has catalyzed the decades-long erosion of social protections under neoliberalism.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decades-long
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Dhruv Tikekar, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
This decades-long effort has indeed reduced emissions in America and the European Union compared with 1990 levels, the year set in the Kyoto Protocol.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
Yearly case counts have generally been low since 2000, when the US declared measles eliminated thanks to a decades-long vaccination campaign.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
In rich countries with more formal labor markets, such as the US and the UK, this has catalyzed the decades-long erosion of social protections under neoliberalism.
—Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decades-long
Cite this Entry
“Decades-long.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decades-long. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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