protract

verb

pro·​tract prō-ˈtrakt How to pronounce protract (audio)
prə-
protracted; protracting; protracts
Synonyms of protractnext

transitive verb

1
: to prolong in time or space : continue
2
: to extend forward or outward compare retract sense 1
3
archaic : delay, defer
protractive
prō-ˈtrak-tiv How to pronounce protract (audio)
prə-
adjective

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for protract

extend, lengthen, prolong, protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase in length.

extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range.

extend a vacation
extend welfare services
lengthen a skirt
lengthen the workweek

prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.

protracted litigation

Examples of protract in a Sentence

the highway project was protracted by years of litigation
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The climax is protracted but darkly thrilling: ugly secrets spill into the open, winged monkeys screech and scatter, and Elphaba comes into full possession of her powers. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024 Often, these assessments also incur vendor costs and protracted development cycles. —Melissa Daimler, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 Here are seven names that might come up as election officials and partisan lawyers join what could be an intense and protracted legal and public-relations fight over which votes should be counted and how. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024 Previously, these publications have tended not to have protracted life spans. —Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for protract 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin prōtractus, past participle of prōtrahere "to drag forward, draw or pull out, bring into the open, prolong, defer," from prō-, prefix denoting forward movement + trahere "to drag, draw, take along" — more at pro- entry 2, abstract entry 1

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of protract was in 1540

Dictionary Entries Near protract

protracheate

protract

protractedly

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Protract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protract. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

protract

verb
pro·​tract prō-ˈtrakt How to pronounce protract (audio)
: prolong

Medical Definition

protract

transitive verb
pro·​tract prō-ˈtrakt How to pronounce protract (audio)
: to extend forward or outward
the mandible is protracted and retracted in chewing
compare retract

More from Merriam-Webster on protract

Nglish: Translation of protract for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of protract for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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