as in to lengthen
to make longer
the highway project was protracted by years of litigation
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Recent Examples of protract
Player compensation had to be structured to build investment and reward success, which is what the WNBA’s protracted labor battle is all about.
—
J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
It could be protracted with many of our troops – MAGA sons and daughters – coming home in body bags.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
Regardless of how the administration decides to proceed, there’ll be new legal challenges and protracted confusion.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
Desai, whose directorial work at the Taper thus far has brought together rave and rebellion, smoothly merges the Dionysian frenzy of the music with the nonviolent revolution that ended Ferdinand Marcos’ protracted dictatorship in 1986.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for protract
J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
It could be protracted with many of our troops – MAGA sons and daughters – coming home in body bags.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
Regardless of how the administration decides to proceed, there’ll be new legal challenges and protracted confusion.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
Desai, whose directorial work at the Taper thus far has brought together rave and rebellion, smoothly merges the Dionysian frenzy of the music with the nonviolent revolution that ended Ferdinand Marcos’ protracted dictatorship in 1986.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for protract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protract
Verb
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D’Orsay flats lengthen the silhouette with a crisp line, while Mary Janes introduce a contemporary nuance and slingbacks finish off an outfit with polish.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
29 Mar. 2026
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Detention stays are lengthening in part because of the administration's decision last summer to restrict bond hearings in immigration court.—
Martin Kaste,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Edwards extended his hit streak to five games during Tuesday evening’s 9-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox, going 2 for 4 with a pair of singles.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
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Eighth-grader Ella Parece dealt a complete-game shutout, pairing with a two-RBI performance from Bella Bourque to help Taunton (2-0) extend its win streak to 58 games with a 5-0 Hockomock League victory over Attleboro.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Parabens Parabens are chemical preservatives that help prolong the shelf life of deodorants and other skincare products by preventing mold and bacterial growth.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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Deadheading keeps the plant neat and prolongs its blooming period.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The MorphoScan’s measurements ebbed and flowed from day to day as expected, with my weight dropping the day after a cardio workout and increasing after a weekend of indulgence.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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Trolley lines move across the city, stretching as far West as the Darby Transit Center and back East toward 13th street.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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In the courtyard, the hotel’s signature Mariposa (Spanish for butterfly) sculpture stretches overhead like a modern butterfly wing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protract. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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