as in prolonged
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as in lengthened
to make longer
the highway project was protracted by years of litigation
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Recent Examples of protracted
David Brennan, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2026
Violent conflicts have been erupting at a brisk frequency, getting bloodier, and more protracted.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
South Africa — which is embroiled in a protracted dispute with the US over Pretoria’s Black empowerment laws, among other issues — went further, calling Washington’s move a violation of the UN Charter.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Many actors, in Central and Latin America and beyond, have an interest in making this experience a protracted and painful one for the United States.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
What role, for example, did Brady play in the decision to hire then-73-year-old Pete Carroll to coach a team clearly in need of a protracted rebuild?
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Amid protracted trade tensions with its largest export market, China’s manufacturing activity has slowed for the seventh consecutive month.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 31 Oct. 2025
The subpoenas and tactics at issue in Friday’s statements stem from a protracted and heated legal battle involving Musk.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
What neither side has devised is an easy offramp to prevent what could become a protracted closure.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
The investigation was part of a larger, protracted inquiry around allegations of voter fraud that stretched on for several years and resulted in no charges, formally ending in February 2025.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
But for now, the mutually agreed upon MOU marks a milestone in the two entities’ protracted negotiations over the terms of their working relationship.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Hamada, who was evacuated from Gaza in September after protracted negotiations with Israel, took to the stage alongside director Ben Hania and cast members Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Clara Khoury and Amer Hlehel.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2025
Simmons’ protracted nonpayment also reflects the logistical perils and broader challenges for anyone navigating the legal process.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
On Tuesday, Rio de Janeiro’s governor claimed the operation in Alemão was larger than an infamous, protracted security crisis the neighborhood experienced in 2010.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Supporters lauded the new law, which allows tall buildings along transit corridors, as a breakthrough in the state’s protracted housing crisis.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025
The reversal was the first step in what will likely be a long, protracted set of legal proceedings.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Nearly seven years later, Kofod's successors -- again under the leadership of Frederiksen -- have faced a more protracted and aggressive campaign from Washington.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2026
Violent conflicts have been erupting at a brisk frequency, getting bloodier, and more protracted.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
South Africa — which is embroiled in a protracted dispute with the US over Pretoria’s Black empowerment laws, among other issues — went further, calling Washington’s move a violation of the UN Charter.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Many actors, in Central and Latin America and beyond, have an interest in making this experience a protracted and painful one for the United States.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
What role, for example, did Brady play in the decision to hire then-73-year-old Pete Carroll to coach a team clearly in need of a protracted rebuild?
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Amid protracted trade tensions with its largest export market, China’s manufacturing activity has slowed for the seventh consecutive month.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 31 Oct. 2025
The subpoenas and tactics at issue in Friday’s statements stem from a protracted and heated legal battle involving Musk.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
What neither side has devised is an easy offramp to prevent what could become a protracted closure.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Miami squeaked into the postseason after a long and protracted battle — with a public relations nudge from the ACC — to leap past Notre Dame.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
The investigation was part of a larger, protracted inquiry around allegations of voter fraud that stretched on for several years and resulted in no charges, formally ending in February 2025.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025
But for now, the mutually agreed upon MOU marks a milestone in the two entities’ protracted negotiations over the terms of their working relationship.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Hamada, who was evacuated from Gaza in September after protracted negotiations with Israel, took to the stage alongside director Ben Hania and cast members Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Clara Khoury and Amer Hlehel.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2025
Simmons’ protracted nonpayment also reflects the logistical perils and broader challenges for anyone navigating the legal process.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025
On Tuesday, Rio de Janeiro’s governor claimed the operation in Alemão was larger than an infamous, protracted security crisis the neighborhood experienced in 2010.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Supporters lauded the new law, which allows tall buildings along transit corridors, as a breakthrough in the state’s protracted housing crisis.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025
The reversal was the first step in what will likely be a long, protracted set of legal proceedings.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protracted
Adjective
-
Record-low single-digit temperatures, widespread snow and ice, and prolonged power outages combined into a catastrophe that reshaped how Texans think about winter preparedness.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Pinot Noir, Gamay, and aged Nebbiolo can lose their aromatic lift quickly when exposed to prolonged warmth.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
School districts canceled class, businesses are closing for the day and warming centers lengthened hours as residents braced for the cold.—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The changes lengthened prison sentences for gang members who commit crimes.—
Sonia Pérez D,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Polly’s demands could be interminable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The one important question that didn’t get asked on Monday — amid softballs to Schoen about Jaxson Dart’s promise and the GM’s interminable rebuild — was what specific roles senior personnel executive Chris Mara and director of player personnel Tim McDonnell are playing in this whole process.—
Pat Leonard,
Hartford Courant,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Gold extended its relentless rally on Thursday, crossing past $5,500 per ounce and hitting another record high.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
-
And the hospitality extended beyond homes.—
Kim Norvell,
Des Moines Register,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Pontiac’s Firebird had a longish life in car years, with four generations spanning 1967 to 2002.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
The law requires presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying forces and to end military action within 60 to 90 days absent authorization — limits that presidents of both parties have routinely stretched.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
State officials say the program is a way to reduce costs, prevent medication lapses, and ease the burden on doctors, particularly in rural areas where clinicians are already stretched thin.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
Verb
-
That figure is used to determine the league’s cut, which for all local TV deals has since increased from 34% to 48%.—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the average new car payment has increased by $300, or more than 35%, since then to $769.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Protracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracted. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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