Standard Lemma guide

protracted

adj · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /pɹəˈtɹæk.tɪd/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Canada, General-American: /pɹoʊˈtɹæk.tɪd/
  • Canada, General-American: /pɹəˈtɹæk.tɪd/
  • CMU ARPABET: P R OW0 T R AE1 K T IH0 D Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • a protracted and bitter dispute

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: long-drawn-out, abiding, chronic, continuate, diuturnal, durable, durative, endurable, enduring, extending, hard-wearing, lasting, long-lasting, long-lived, longevitous, longevous, longsome, perdurable, persistent, prolonged, protracted

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

simple past and past participle of protract

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, participle, past

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a drawn-out argument
  • an extended discussion
  • a lengthy visit from her mother-in-law
  • a prolonged and bitter struggle
  • protracted negotiations

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: drawn-out, extended, lengthy, prolonged

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

32 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: davamlı — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Azerbaijani: sürəkli — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Azerbaijani: uzun — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Azerbaijani: uzun sürən — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Bulgarian: продължителен (prodǎlžitelen) — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Bulgarian: проточен (protočen) — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Czech: zdlouhavý — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Dutch: langdurig — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Dutch: aanslepend — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • German: langwierig — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • German: langdauernd — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • German: langandauernd — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • German: anhaltend — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • German: sich hinziehend — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • German: langwährend — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • German: langgezogen — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • German: hingezogen — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • German: verschleppt — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Hungarian: elhúzódó — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Hungarian: hosszúra nyúló — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Latin: prōductus — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Māori: auroa — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Māori: hōtoa — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Polish: przeciągły — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Romanian: prelungit — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Russian: затяжно́й (zatjažnój) — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Spanish: protraído — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Swedish: utdragen — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Swedish: långdragen — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Tagalog: matagalan — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Tagalog: malawig — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual
  • Ottoman Turkish: اوزون (uzun) — lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual