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 WebIn the case of Maya and Carina, that meant accelerating the timeline slightly to show their early experiences with motherhood, rather than prolonging their struggles to start a family.—Max Gao, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024 Efforts to prolong the trial, and potentially force Democrats to cast some hard votes, are now more likely to materialize without senators rushing to catch flights home.—Liz Goodwin, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024 Always be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for temperature and wash/dry cycles to prolong the usefulness of the mattress protector.—Kelsey Kunik, Parents, 10 Apr. 2024 Both drugs are also known to prolong flares for months (particularly if there has been a pustular eruption).—Maureen Salamon, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2024 Hemp seeds are rich in fiber, helping to regulate bowel functions, reduce sugar cravings, and reduce appetite by prolonging the feeling of being sated.—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024 Tom’s objective soon shifts to prolonging his own stay.—Judy Berman, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024 The project is about 96% complete, Fitch said, but ongoing issues could prolong its completion.—Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024 But since the Park Service announced peak bloom March 17, the second-earliest date on record, temperatures have been slightly cooler than normal, prolonging the bloom.—Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prolong.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French prolonguer, from Late Latin prolongare, from Latin pro- forward + longus long
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