PROTRACT Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'protract' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of protract are extend , lengthen , and prolong . While all these words mean "to draw out or add to so as to increase in length," protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness. // protracted litigation

Q: How are the words 'extend' and 'lengthen' related as synonyms of 'protract'?

Both 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

Q: Where would 'prolong' be a reasonable alternative to 'protract'?

In some situations, the words prolong and protract are roughly equivalent. However, prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits. // prolonged illness

protract

verb

prō-ˈtrakt

Definition of protract next

as in to lengthen

to make longer the highway project was protracted by years of litigation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb protract contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of protract are extend, lengthen, and prolong. While all these words mean "to draw out or add to so as to increase in length," protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.

protracted litigation

How are the words extend and lengthen related as synonyms of protract?

Both 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

Where would prolong be a reasonable alternative to protract?

In some situations, the words prolong and protract are roughly equivalent. However, prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of protract 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 That comes after China shares’ protracted slump for the past few years , dragged down by growth concerns and its long-standing property debt crisis. —

Weizhen Tan, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for protract

Recent Examples of Synonyms for protract

Verb

Stress can also alter hormone levels, which can shorten or lengthen your cycle.15 Birth control methods like hormonal contraceptive pills often shorten your cycle to a specific timeline.

Carley Millhone, Health, 13 Dec. 2024
By Stephen Kearse December 8, 2024 8:00 AM EST Streaming has mutated the album as a format over the past decade, lengthening tracklists, shifting where likely hits get placed, and chipping away at song runtimes.

Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024