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

But these adaptations may not be enough, as climate change and prolonged drought are pushing animals’ limits. —John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025

The need for such shelters came into sharp focus in January 2025, when prolonged periods of frigid winter weather gripped Louisville. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025

Despite his prolonged absence, Gonzalez wasn't a regular subject in media sessions until mid-August. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

The Jebel Marra region has seen a surge in population in recent months, as thousands fled a prolonged siege on Darfur's historic capital, El Fasher, by paramilitary forces at war with Sudan's army. —Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prolonged

• belonged
• longed
• pronged
• thronged
• wronged