protract

Extend in time

To protract is to extend or draw out in time, making something last longer than necessary or expected: The lawyers protracted the negotiations for months.

The word carries a sense of unnecessary prolongation—a protracted illness, a protracted debate, a protracted conflict.

Less commonly, protract means to extend physically, as when a cat protracts its claws.

prolong

extend

Make longer or larger

lengthenIncrease in extent
stretchPull to extend
elongateTo make longer

draw out · sustain · continue · perpetuate · spin out · drag out · string out · keep going · maintain · carry on

delay

postpone

Delay to later time

deferDelay or submit
stallEnclosed compartment or delay
hold upDelay or armed robbery

put off · adjourn · suspend · drag feet · procrastinate · forestall · tarry · dally · linger · dawdle

tedious

drawn-out

Extended beyond normal duration

interminableWithout apparent conclusion
endlessWithout termination or boundary
prolongedMade to last longer

lingering · long-winded · lengthy · time-consuming · dragging · wearisome · tiresome · laborious · plodding · slow

negotiate

talks

Speaks with others

negotiationsFormal discussion seeking agreement
deliberationsCareful group discussion
discussionsConversations examining a topic

proceedings · arbitration · mediation · diplomacy · stalemate · impasse · deadlock · haggling · wrangling · back-and-forth

protract

extend

postpone

drawn-out

talks

protract

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