protract

verb

pro·​tract prō-ˈtrakt 

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

prō-ˈtrak-tiv 

prə-

adjective

Synonyms

• drag (out)
• draw out
• elongate
• extend
• lengthen
• outstretch
• prolong
• stretch

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

He’s been in charge of negotiations over new deals but talks have become protracted and uncertainty remains. —The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025

But this unhappy, protracted breakup may have done irrevocable damage to his standing among Heat fans. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025

These impactful investments are being delivered through UNICEF and a broad consortium of international and local partners with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations. —Unicef Usa, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Lebanon’s system of government requires the new president to convene consultations with lawmakers to nominate a Sunni Muslim prime minister to form a new cabinet, a process that can often be protracted as factions barter over ministerial portfolios. —Reuters, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

protract

verb

pro·​tract prō-ˈtrakt 

: prolong

Medical Definition

protract

transitive verb

pro·​tract prō-ˈtrakt 

: to extend forward or outward

the mandible is protracted and retracted in chewing

compare retract