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

• 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

When faith in the government product is shaken, things go off-the-rails in short order; just look at how anti-science sentiments prolonged the Covid 19 pandemic, and helped set in motion a broader drop in vaccine rates. —Philip Elliott, Time, 6 Aug. 2025

Wigginton hopes to prolong the lives of thyroid cancer patients while maintaining a quality of life and also increasing treatment options through groundbreaking research in thyroid cancer treatment. —Lara Terpstra, Freep.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Precision Door of Visalia recommends keeping the garage door fully closed to maintain its structural integrity while performing regular maintenance, such as lubricating moving parts, to prolong its life. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025

Hamas started this horrible war; Netanyahu is guilty of prolonging it to save his career and keep his far-right support. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025

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