prolonged

adjective

pro·​longed prə-ˈlȯŋd 

: continuing for a notably long time : extended in duration

a prolonged delay

a prolonged recession

a prolonged absence

a prolonged drought

And in today's competitive situation a prolonged strike can very easily lead to a serious loss of market share which is difficult, if not impossible, to recapture.

—David Reid

Sometimes the only answer is a prolonged time away from the sport followed by a slow, steady reconditioning program along with physiotherapy of some type …

—William J. Goldwag

prolongedly

prə-ˈlȯŋ-əd-lē 

adverb

… and Andy demonstrates … the odd talent of coughing in his sleep, coughing prolongedly without waking himself.

—John Updike

Examples of prolonged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The shifting odds are putting heightened importance on economic data, especially as traders navigate a backdrop of prolonged tensions in the Middle East, as well as the start of Kevin Warsh’s tenure as Fed Chairman. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Villa endeavour to move others on, including Leon Bailey, 29, who remains in a prolonged period of negotiation with his current club and Hull City, who have long agreed a fee for the winger. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Pillow positive — Slang for patients who are regularly admitted into hospitals for prolonged stays, but with no apparent physiological problem. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026

Reducing the need to snorkel makes the submarine more difficult to detect during prolonged surveillance or intelligence missions. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prolonged

• belonged
• longed
• pronged
• thronged
• wronged