prolong

verb

pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ How to pronounce prolong (audio)
prolonged; prolonging; prolongs

transitive verb

1
: to lengthen in time : continue
2
: to lengthen in extent, scope, or range
prolonger noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Levine would be fired for season 2 and later producers would tweak that ratio — naturally preferring the Superman aspects — but also going to cartoonish lengths to prolong its eponymous romance. Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024 The predictably tepid response to their plans in Ukraine and the West also fits into narratives of Western intransigence, a key Russian talking point, as if the West that (allegedly) caused the war in the first place is prolonging and exploiting it to weaken Russia. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024 Rapamycin, a small molecule that has been shown to prolong the lifespan, was given to the flies next. New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2024 The strike began last month and was prolonged last week after the union rejected Boeing’s latest labor proposal . Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prolong 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of prolong was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near prolong

Cite this Entry

“Prolong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prolong. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

prolong

verb
pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ How to pronounce prolong (audio)
: to make longer in time
prolonged the visit

More from Merriam-Webster on prolong

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