long-drawn-out

American  

[lawng-drawn-out, long-] / ˈlɔŋˈdrɔnˈaʊt, ˈlɒŋ- /

Also drawn-out,

adjective

1. lasting a very long time; protracted.

   a long-drawn-out story.

2. of great length; long.

   a long-drawn-out line of soldiers.

---

long-drawn-out British  

adjective

1. over-prolonged or extended

---

Etymology

Origin of long-drawn-out

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The Ellisons acquired Paramount for $8 billion in August after a long-drawn-out process that required approval from the Trump administration.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025

Plenty of other long-drawn-out union processes, like the first Chipotle restaurant to successfully organize, will be further stymied.

From Slate • Feb. 18, 2025

“You could see how with different goals it could be a long-drawn-out war,” he said.

From Washington Times • May 13, 2022

If it did, that could complicate the already long-drawn-out process of convicting Mohammed and the defendants of charges stemming from the 9/11 attacks.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2020

In between placing phone calls and writing long-drawn-out, pathetic, and often incoherent letters, Cabot continued his study of the very subject that had, unbeknownst to him, driven Alma away: the potential of humankind.

From "Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley