prolong

verb

pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ 

prolonged; prolonging; prolongs

transitive verb

1

: to lengthen in time : continue

2

: to lengthen in extent, scope, or range

prolongation

(ˌ)prō-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən  prə- 

noun

prolonger

prə-ˈlȯŋ-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• lengthen
• extend
• increase

Choose the Right Synonym for prolong

extend, lengthen, prolong, protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase in length.

extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range.

extend a vacation

extend welfare services

lengthen a skirt

lengthen the workweek

prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.

protracted litigation

Examples of prolong in a Sentence

Additives are used to prolong the shelf life of packaged food.

High interest rates were prolonging the recession.

Recent Examples on the Web

Like human dry shampoos, the waterless cleanser prolongs wash day, but without alcohol, parabens, or sulfates. —People Deals Team, People.com, 10 July 2025

Continued rainfall or new storms could prolong or worsen flooding conditions, while subsiding water will still pose risks near riverbanks and in low-lying zones. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025

No one wants to prolong the girl-group drama any longer than necessary, including the girls themselves. —Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 9 July 2025

Many families of hostages, realizing that Netanyahu was prolonging the war for his political survival, publicly denounced the Israeli Prime Minister and appealed to President Donald Trump for help. —Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, Time, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French prolonguer, from Late Latin prolongare, from Latin pro- forward + longus long

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prolong

• agung
• along
• belong
• birdsong
• furlong
• headlong
• headstrong
• lifelong
• plainsong
• sarong
• tanjong
• weeklong

Kids Definition

prolong

verb

pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ 

: to make longer in time

prolonged the visit