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

The war’s financial toll has spooked the president’s economic advisers, a fear that will grow if the war is prolonged. —Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026

The trauma of losing her house left her in a prolonged depression. —Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026

Many Lebanese fear another prolonged military occupation. —Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026

While immediate price spikes are unlikely, prolonged pressure on plastic and packaging costs could translate into higher bottled water prices as summer demand ramps up, with any relief lagging until supply chains fully reset. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prolonged

• belonged
• longed
• pronged
• thronged
• wronged