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protractTo extend or prolong something, especially beyond the usual or expected time.

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: To extend or prolong something, especially beyond the usual or expected time.

Pronunciation (IPA): /prəˈtrækt/

Example Sentences

  • My boss loves to protract meetings until everyone falls asleep.
  • The divorce proceedings were protracted for over two years.
  • She managed to protract her vacation by pretending to be sick.

protract

VERB

[/prəˈtrækt/]

To extend or prolong something, especially beyond the usual or expected time.

To extend or prolong something, especially beyond the usual or expected time.
💡 Concept

To extend or prolong something, especially beyond the usual or expected time.

Protract the contract to be exact!
🎵 Rhyme

Protract the contract to be exact!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/prəˈtrækt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixpro--
Roottract

Origin

From Latin protrahere, meaning 'to draw forth or drag out.' The word evolved from its literal sense of physically pulling something forward to the figurative meaning of extending time or duration.

Breakdown

pro- (forward/forth) + tract (to draw/pull) + -ed (past participle)

🎵Rhyme

contractextractattract

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My boss loves to protract meetings until everyone falls asleep.

The divorce proceedings were protracted for over two years.

😄 Fun example

She managed to protract her vacation by pretending to be sick.

The protracted debate left everyone exhausted and confused.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

extendprolonglengthendrag outstretch

Antonyms

shortenabbreviate

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