as in to lengthen
to make longer
the highway project was protracted by years of litigation
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Recent Examples of protract
The process of curing diseases can be protracted, and not all research endeavors yield successful outcomes.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
Finnegans Wake, in his skillful hands, is a tapestry of all the works Joyce ever wrote, the final and protracted project of a writer who could never stop thinking about Ireland.
—Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
Second, the party seeking to recover fees must not have unreasonably protracted the litigation.
—Guinevere Moore, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
The government, with limited powers, now has to lead the country for months before new elections and during what could — again — be protracted talks to cobble together a new coalition in the fragmented Dutch political landscape after the vote.
—Mike Corder, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for protract
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
Finnegans Wake, in his skillful hands, is a tapestry of all the works Joyce ever wrote, the final and protracted project of a writer who could never stop thinking about Ireland.
—Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
Second, the party seeking to recover fees must not have unreasonably protracted the litigation.
—Guinevere Moore, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
The government, with limited powers, now has to lead the country for months before new elections and during what could — again — be protracted talks to cobble together a new coalition in the fragmented Dutch political landscape after the vote.
—Mike Corder, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for protract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for protract
Verb
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Featuring 30 essential oils, the rosemary oil combats dandruff and lengthens hair.—
Amy Schulman,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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The cut helps to visually lengthen by creating soft vertical lines around round faces, and for square faces, the layers will soften the angles of the jawline thanks to their face framing qualities.—
Lorena Meouchi,
Vogue,
17 July 2025
Verb
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The left-wing conversion extended the Bulls’ lead to 33-14 at the seven-minute mark in the second.—
Andy Theobald,
Kansas City Star,
19 July 2025
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Earlier this week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott extended the disaster declaration to include 26 counties impacted.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Verb
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Washington blames Hamas for prolonging the war and obstructing humanitarian aid.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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To prolong your stay in this natural wonderland, look to organizations such as United Planet and Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, which also offers opportunities to work on conservation projects or in social services.—
Sarah Sekula,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Decades of research and studies in agriculture have increased production across all crops in the U.S., said James, and cannabis can adopt those same technologies.—
Julie Weed,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Tariffs did not have the inflationary effects many economists projected, and despite pessimism from the political commentariat, Trump’s public pledges that foreign companies will increase domestic investment have already begun to be fulfilled.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
25 July 2025
Verb
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In June, the average job search stretched to 23 weeks, or nearly six months.—
Julia Korn,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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North of the Arctic Circle, the seven main islands stretch across more than 100 miles of wild, pristine landscape.—
Phil Thomas,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Protract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/protract. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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