prolonged

adjective

pro·​longed prə-ˈlȯŋd 

: continuing for a notably long time : extended in duration

a prolonged delay

a prolonged recession

a prolonged absence

a prolonged drought

And in today's competitive situation a prolonged strike can very easily lead to a serious loss of market share which is difficult, if not impossible, to recapture.

—David Reid

Sometimes the only answer is a prolonged time away from the sport followed by a slow, steady reconditioning program along with physiotherapy of some type …

—William J. Goldwag

prolongedly

prə-ˈlȯŋ-əd-lē 

adverb

… and Andy demonstrates … the odd talent of coughing in his sleep, coughing prolongedly without waking himself.

—John Updike

Examples of prolonged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Day-zero droughts arise from the confluence of various factors, including a prolonged dearth of rain, low river levels and shrunken reservoirs, as well as rocketing water demand to supply people, farms and industries. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025

Projections show valley fever has spread well beyond the Southwest because of prolonged drought and rising temperatures. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025

Many types of plants under prolonged heat stress will fail to flower and set fruit. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025

The Golden State Warriors have been in a prolonged standstill regarding restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. —Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prolonged

• belonged
• longed
• pronged
• thronged
• wronged