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

• drag (out)
• draw out
• elongate
• extend
• lengthen
• outstretch
• protract
• stretch

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

The 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

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

Kids Definition

prolong

verb

pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ 

: to make longer in time

prolonged the visit