protracted
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- protractedly adverb
- protractedness noun
Etymology
Origin of protracted
First recorded in 1590–1600; protract ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A protracted Iran conflict and continued high oil prices could mean the sun setting soon on gold’s rally, according to a strategist at UBS.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026
Arab mediators are pushing for a meeting between the U.S. and Iran as soon as this week, and President Trump has told associates in recent days that he wants to avoid a protracted war.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
Two of those three years are essentially in the past because of the protracted negotiations.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026
Relations between France and Azerbaijan have shown signs of improvement since last autumn, months after Baku accused Paris of backing Armenia during the protracted conflict between the Caucasus neighbours.
From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026
He told her that he realized that she had been under protracted great strain, and that he was sony about it.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
