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 WebThe dad also made a beautiful analogy—explaining that while cows run away from storms, prolonging their suffering, bulls charge towards them.—Sarah Bregel, Parents, 7 June 2024 Some in Israel have suggested that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for his own political self-preservation.—Time Staff, TIME, 4 June 2024 Now Biden is saying Netanyahu is prolonging the war for political reasons.—Andrew Mark Miller Fox News, Fox News, 4 June 2024 Biden says there is ‘every reason’ to believe Netanyahu is prolonging the war for political reasons.—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 3 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for prolong
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prolong.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French prolonguer, from Late Latin prolongare, from Latin pro- forward + longus long
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