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
Ineos blamed "a protracted negotiation" with Athena Racing - formed by Ainslie - claiming his team had caused a costly six-month delay to settlement talks.
From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026
A protracted war could weaken both the Middle East and Thailand patient flows for the hospital chain operator, the analyst says.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
Two of those three years are essentially in the past because of the protracted negotiations.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026
It’s only the first labor, which is almost always protracted.
From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway
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.
