as in prolonged
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Recent Examples of overlong
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
For instance, while most of the movie is about the title character, a 34-year-old lieutenant governor played by Emma Mackey, there is an overlong subplot about Ella’s younger brother, Casey (Spike Fearn), that encapsulates the tonal dysfunction of the movie.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
Musically, Swift’s pivot toward concision feels like a response to claims that her last album was repetitive and overlong.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Their new collaboration is more satisfying than that uneven and overlong puzzle box, not to mention more readily coherent as a narrative.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Yet the historical resonance falls flat amid the film’s overlong runtime, unlikable characters and shaky accents that most actors stumble in and out of.
—Itzel Luna, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
That's not inherently a bad choice, but in this instance the overarching story feels both overlong and underwhelming as tiny pieces of the narrative are introduced without being fully explained.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
And Dorian, despite the visual inventiveness on display, does go a bit overboard and overlong at times, particularly in a late, extended scene that makes use of pre-recorded outdoor footage that allows more than one Snook to race through a forest.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
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
For instance, while most of the movie is about the title character, a 34-year-old lieutenant governor played by Emma Mackey, there is an overlong subplot about Ella’s younger brother, Casey (Spike Fearn), that encapsulates the tonal dysfunction of the movie.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
Musically, Swift’s pivot toward concision feels like a response to claims that her last album was repetitive and overlong.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Their new collaboration is more satisfying than that uneven and overlong puzzle box, not to mention more readily coherent as a narrative.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
Yet the historical resonance falls flat amid the film’s overlong runtime, unlikable characters and shaky accents that most actors stumble in and out of.
—Itzel Luna, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
That's not inherently a bad choice, but in this instance the overarching story feels both overlong and underwhelming as tiny pieces of the narrative are introduced without being fully explained.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
And Dorian, despite the visual inventiveness on display, does go a bit overboard and overlong at times, particularly in a late, extended scene that makes use of pre-recorded outdoor footage that allows more than one Snook to race through a forest.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overlong
Adjective
-
Eating either too many or not enough calories can contribute to fatigue, injuries, illness, poor performance and prolonged recovery from sports injuries.—
Dr. Sarah Kinsella,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
UConn recovered from its prolonged shooting slump to regain its bearings, eventually increasing its lead to 10 points on a Mullins’ 3 with 47 seconds left in the half before heading into the locker room up 37-29.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
5 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
Adjective
-
Opponents will note the Vietnam draft didn’t prevent a protracted, catastrophic war.—
Zach Iscol,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
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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,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But there was something else memorable and perhaps telling about this interminable game, which clocked in at 3 hours 36 minutes — the longest nine-inning Royals game of the pitch-clock era that began in 2023.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
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Jeff then immediately ruins the stakes-building tension by launching into an interminable Applebee’s ad.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Three more ski areas in Colorado are set to close up shop at the end of the week due to persistent warm weather and low snowpack.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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The arm-side miss fell in line with a persistent spring-training pattern for Sasaki, who struggled with command from his first Cactus League start through his Freeway Series appearance last week.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
An already threadbare squad could not cope with a lengthy injury list that included key players Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood, Miedema, Khadija Shaw, Jill Roord and Mary Fowler.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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Underwood and Whitman both said the best part of the lengthy Illinois celebration on Saturday night was hugging their families — their wives and children, now older, who put up with their long days and nights away for many years.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The phone conversation, which lasted less than two minutes, sent the family on an endless chase to find their relative.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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Investors recoiled out of fears of an endless quagmire.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overlong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overlong. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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