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
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
1 July 2026
The announcement stands in stark contrast with the situation across the Bay, where talks between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland and hundreds of other abuse victims remain mired in a protracted and increasingly bitter stalemate.
—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Former health minister Wes Streeting, viewed as a potential challenger, has instead backed Burnham's bid, easing some concern about a protracted and divisive leadership battle.
—
Gail Krishnan,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
While some experts, like Tom Hulick, remain optimistic, citing strong liquidity and AI's future earnings potential, others, including Jason Huang, question if this signals a buying opportunity or a more protracted downturn.
—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The shootings have highlighted a protracted debate over Missouri’s gun laws, among the loosest in the nation, and local leaders’ yearslong struggle to combat homicides and fatal shootings.
—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 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 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
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
20 June 2026
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
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
Set during the protracted period of economic decline in 1970s Ghana, two sisters, Evelyn and Maggie, make a deal to run away to the US to start a new life together.
—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
1 July 2026
The announcement stands in stark contrast with the situation across the Bay, where talks between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland and hundreds of other abuse victims remain mired in a protracted and increasingly bitter stalemate.
—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
Former health minister Wes Streeting, viewed as a potential challenger, has instead backed Burnham's bid, easing some concern about a protracted and divisive leadership battle.
—
Gail Krishnan,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
While some experts, like Tom Hulick, remain optimistic, citing strong liquidity and AI's future earnings potential, others, including Jason Huang, question if this signals a buying opportunity or a more protracted downturn.
—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
The shootings have highlighted a protracted debate over Missouri’s gun laws, among the loosest in the nation, and local leaders’ yearslong struggle to combat homicides and fatal shootings.
—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 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 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
Verb
Last season, Van Hecke led the English top flight in line-breaking passes (457), a highly encouraging feat, considering Tottenham’s protracted struggles in building central possession through the thirds.
—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
20 June 2026
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
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
-
But with prolonged heat exposure, the body begins diverting blood away from vital organs, causing organ failure and eventually death.
-
Research suggests prolonged exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy may increase the risk of certain complications.
Verb
-
Tee boxes have been lengthened and championship setups have pushed the course to its limit.
-
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.
Adjective
-
Long delays due to permitting bureaucracies at all levels of government and interminable litigation plague the sector despite efforts at reform.
-
Fuming while on an interminable hold with customer service.
Verb
-
The government has extended school closures, and preliminary information suggests that 432 schools in Caracas alone have been damaged.
-
Gonzalez extended the lead with a two-run single in the ninth.
Adjective
-
The errand conveniently provided the opportunity for a longish highway test of Lexus’ newest luxury people-mover.
-
When the front door opens, they’re greeted by an androgynous person with longish hair, thick eyebrows and a deep voice.
Verb
-
Utah's state forester, Jamie Barnes, told reporters that fires across the state this season had been moving in ways that had stretched Utah's firefighting capacity to its limits, with new fires beginning closer to populated areas than in previous years.
-
Minnesota led 28-16 after the first quarter, then stretched the lead to 45-29 at halftime after holding Dallas to 11-for-37 shooting with eight turnovers before the break.
Adjective
-
This is a nearly two-and-a-half-hour film but Spielberg’s expert pacing keeps it from feeling overlong.
-
There was a parade of nations, perhaps overlong, but analogue and human-scale.
Verb
-
Through 2025, the application backlog increased, leaving it 48% higher than at the end of former President Joe Biden’s term.
-
The bank said last week's hawkish Federal Open Market Committee meeting has increased uncertainty over the outlook for short-term interest rates, even as lower oil prices have eased concerns about an economic downturn.
Cite this Entry
“Protracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protracted. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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