protract

verb

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

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 adjective
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 The pervasive graying of the population and protracted population decline will hobble economic growth and cripple social welfare systems in rich countries, threatening their very prospects for continued prosperity. Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2024 Wasser has represented a who’s who of divorcing A-listers over the years, including Angelina Jolie in the early years of her bitter, protracted divorce from Brad Pitt. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2024 Those protracted silences lent a satirical bite to America’s juxtaposition of moral blindness and proud ridiculousness—but without overwhelming the delightful silliness on display. Amanda Wicks, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2024 Friction point: The Navy's priority boats are years behind construction schedule, and aging ships and protracted repair windows are compounding the problem. Colin Demarest, Axios, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for protract 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protract.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Cite this Entry

“Protract.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protract. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

protract

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

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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