protract

American  

[proh-trakt, pruh-] / proʊˈtrækt, prə- /

verb (used with object)

1. to draw out or lengthen, especially in time; extend the duration of; prolong.

   Synonyms:

   continue

   Antonyms:

   curtail

2. Anatomy. to extend or protrude.

3. (in surveying, mathematics, etc.) to plot and draw (lines) with a scale and a protractor.

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protract British  

/ prəˈtrækt /

verb

1. to lengthen or extend (a speech, etc); prolong in time

2. (of a muscle) to draw, thrust, or extend (a part, etc) forwards

3. to plot or draw using a protractor and scale

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Related Words

See lengthen.

Other Word Forms

• overprotract verb (used with object)
• protractedly adverb
• protractedness noun
• protractible adjective
• protractive adjective
• unprotracted adjective
• unprotractive adjective

Etymology

Origin of protract

First recorded in 1540–50, protract is from the Latin word prōtractus (past participle of prōtrahere “to draw forth, prolong”). See pro- ¹, tract ¹

Example Sentences

However, Middle East tensions have driven up energy prices, and if the war remains protracted could have an inflationary effect keeping interest rates higher for longer.

From Barron's

On Thursday, Brent crude shot back above $100 a barrel amid growing concerns about a protracted period of disruption to the oil markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. stocks fell and oil prices jumped amid worries of a protracted disruption to oil markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The problem is that investors are increasingly pricing in a more protracted conflict that causes extensive economic damage,” Jim Reid, global head of macro research and thematic strategy at Deutsche Bank, wrote in a note.

From MarketWatch

“From a market perspective, the problem is that investors are increasingly pricing in a more protracted conflict that causes extensive economic damage,” Deutsche Bank analysts said in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• prolong
• put off