protracted
adj.lasting for a long time, especially longer than you expected or wanted. It often describes something boring or difficult like a meeting or a war.
adj.lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual. Often used to describe negative or tedious processes such as negotiations, conflicts, or illnesses.
“The two countries finally ended their protracted conflict.”
“After months of protracted negotiations, the two companies finally agreed on a merger price.”
“The legal battle became a protracted affair that drained the family's savings and lasted nearly a decade before a settlement was reached.”
Typically used attributively before a noun to describe processes or states of time.
Learners sometimes treat the word as a base verb rather than using the participial adjective form 'protracted' to describe a state.
“The LFB said it was likely to be a "protracted incident" and crews would work overnight to bring the fire under control.”
“Granted, the broken leg he sustained in December further disrupted that maiden Liverpool campaign, but several parties involved in this most protracted and painful transfer lost an awful lot.”