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 of prolong

• 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

Stones, Spence and Jones have been signed to prolong this team’s dominance, replacing De Vrij, Denzel Dumfries and, in time, Mkhitaryan. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Emergency crews rescued hundreds of people from the rising waters, and authorities feared the soggy ground would prolong the risk of floods and mudslides for days. — Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026

Additionally, Oaks Park evacuated the park without providing traffic control, which delayed first responders from being able to enter the park quickly in an emergency, prolonging suffering. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Any cut watermelon needs to be covered and refrigerated immediately to prolong its freshness to the extent possible. — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026

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