Protract

/pɹəˈtɹakt/ · verb

Meaning

To draw out; to extend, especially in duration..

Definitions by Sense

1. To draw out; to extend, especially in duration.
2. To use a protractor.
3. (surveying) To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.
4. To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer.
5. To extend; to protrude.

Example Sentences

1755, Samuel Johnson, A Dictionary of the English Language, London: J. and P. Knapton et al., Volume 1, Preface, I have protracted my work till most of those whom I wished to please, have sunk into the grave […]

Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock; Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech.

I should wish now to protract this moment ad infinitum; but I dare not.

A bereft landscape of sad browns and sepias of winter lay all about us, the marshland drearily protracting itself towards the wide river.

Still, from these extraordinary pages you can learn that it's very bad to be burned alive on a windy day, because the breeze will keep flicking the flames away from you and thus protract the process.

This is a synopsis of our marches, which, protracted on Burckhardt’s map, gives an error of ten miles.

to protract a decision or duty

[…] Let us bury him, And not protract with admiration what Is now due debt. To the grave!

Synonyms for protract

Antonyms for protract

Related Words

Word Forms

• protracts
• protracting
• protracted

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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