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

That could prolong heavy rain and raise the risk of flooding and landslides, especially in mountainous areas and along smaller rivers. — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2026

In actuality, that’s the best thing to do since prolonging the repair can lead to a full-on replacement that wasn’t warranted in the first place. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2026

Separate accounts from Siberia described nomadic herders using fly agaric in shamanic ceremonies, taking pains to prolong its psychoactive effects. — Kimon De Greef, Longreads, 4 Aug. 2026

When prolonging the time around the table, a gin and tonic is typically the digestive drink of choice, although rum and coke would come in a close second. — Marti Buckley, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 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