prolong

verb

pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ How to pronounce prolong (audio)
prolonged; prolonging; prolongs

transitive verb

1
: to lengthen in time : continue
2
: to lengthen in extent, scope, or range
prolonger noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Estates can spend significant time and money on appraisals, facing IRS challenges that prolong the process. Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Harvesting jalapeños regularly will make your plants more productive and prolong the growing season. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2025 Rapamycin prolonged life when given to yeast, worms, flies and mice and has raised hopes of possibly slowing down the aging process in humans. Karina Zaiets, USA Today, 30 June 2025 While the Court did not overturn the map today, its refusal to resolve the issue only prolongs uncertainty. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for prolong

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of prolong was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prolong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prolong. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

prolong

verb
pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ How to pronounce prolong (audio)
: to make longer in time
prolonged the visit

More from Merriam-Webster on prolong

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