Synonym Chooser

How does the verb prolong contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prolong are extend, lengthen, and protract. While all these words mean "to draw out or add to so as to increase in length," prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

How do extend and lengthen relate to one another, in the sense of prolong?

Both 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

How are the words protract and prolong related?

Protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.

protracted litigation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prolong Global health workers trained by US foreign assistance not only saved lives during Covid-19 but prevented variants from prolonging the pandemic. Jennifer Lotito, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 Terminating the sanitation contract could result in a lapse in the quality of care, which could prolong the receivership, Ambrose wrote in a August 2024 letter extending the agreement until February 2025. Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025 Our report found that the Flores Settlement Agreement was violated many times during the first Trump Administration, prolonging and exacerbating the severe health impacts children experienced while in custody. Dolores K. Schroeder, Time, 30 Apr. 2025 These medicines can delay cancer growth and prolong a person’s life.2 Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is another option when hormone treatments are no longer working. Jamin Brahmbhatt, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prolong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolong
Verb
  • Improves Flexibility and Balance Traditional stretches typically involve moving or holding certain body parts in place to lengthen muscle fibers, which is a way to warm up the body.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025
  • Brown mascara is gaining traction for its ability to awaken the eyes and lengthen lashes subtly, without the harshness of a traditional black.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • President Trump, Vice President Vance React to First American Pope Announcement World leaders across continents extended messages of hope, unity and spiritual solidarity Thursday after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • The firm managed to extend the life of the hardware thanks to hit games involving characters like Super Mario, franchises such as Pokemon and the expansion of its intellectual property into films.
    Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Autism rates increased, again: But RFK Jr. diverges from CDC report about the reason.
    Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Net income increased almost thirteenfold last year to $192.4 million from $15.3 million in 2023.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prolong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolong. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on prolong

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