as in prolonged
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in lengthened
to make longer
the highway project was protracted by years of litigation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
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
Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 3 June 2026
The utilities, by offering to settle in return for an acknowledgment of Gillett’s decision-making, are agreeing to the dismissal – without costs to any party – of what was shaping up as protracted, costly and ultimately losing litigation for the state.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
Russia’s war with Ukraine showed that wars could be protracted and require deep inventories of advanced weapons, Cancian said.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
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
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
Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton California’s crowded and protracted gubernatorial primary is going to take a little more time to settle.
—Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 3 June 2026
The utilities, by offering to settle in return for an acknowledgment of Gillett’s decision-making, are agreeing to the dismissal – without costs to any party – of what was shaping up as protracted, costly and ultimately losing litigation for the state.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
Russia’s war with Ukraine showed that wars could be protracted and require deep inventories of advanced weapons, Cancian said.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protracted
Adjective
-
The prolonged supply crunch has already left beef processors operating at losses and sent consumer beef prices soaring to records.—
Ilena Peng,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
-
Church’s bicentennial offers a chance to reconsider our prolonged indifference to the man and his art.—
Susan Tallman,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Although the list of edible foods that double as fish bait could be lengthened, there are as many natural baits little known or used by the average fisherman.—
Byron W. Dalrymple,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
-
Whether enjoyed neat, over ice, lengthened with premium tonic, or served in the elegant simplicity of a Martini, Cygnet is crafted to elevate every gin-drinking occasion.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
1 June 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 fire spread from the roof down into the warehouse facility and extended into a neighboring warehouse, a FedEx facility.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
-
The Athletics' Nick Kurtz's three-game homer streak ended, but Zack Gelof extended his hitting streak to 15 games.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 June 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 lead stretched to 12 before Brunson and the Knicks rallied again, cutting the lead down to five halfway through the quarter.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
But the short stay stretched into a month, and the once-polite guest turned rude, demanding and increasingly hostile, according to Vanity Fair.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
But with overlong episodes and lightweight plots, the show is holding itself back from something much greater.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Some unnecessary, overlong scenes do drag, allowing the audience to get sidetracked.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
There will also be increased MARTA staffing to help manage large crowds on the train platforms, and expansion of the MARTA Hope program which helps riders experiencing mental health crises, substance abuse or homelessness.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
As Korean stocks have surged, their weightings in global and emerging-market benchmarks have increased sharply, forcing many active fund managers to trim positions to stay within portfolio and risk limits, investors told CNBC.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracted. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
