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 According to Ellis, cashmere deserves its own storage solution and this two-pack, which includes one 15-inch and one 18-inch bag, is the perfect sweater saver that will protect and prolong the life of your cashmere. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025 And that's because the president believes that giving Ukraine those missiles would prolong the war rather than end it. NBC news, 19 Oct. 2025 Republicans in Washington have accused the protesters of prolonging the govenment shutdown, as well as hating America, being terrorists or belonging to Antifa, a loose group of anti-fascists. Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025 Critics argue that deploying clean tech to produce fossil fuels prolongs the life of carbon-emitting infrastructure. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prolong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolong
Verb
  • That’s because plyometrics involve quick movements and concentric (shortening) and eccentric (lengthening) muscle contractions.
    Jenny McCoy, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The idea is that once the consolidated sleep pattern has been established, it can be lengthened over time.
    Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This year, Spirit Halloween is extending over 20 contracts to support the expansion of Spirit Christmas, now entering its second year.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This would not have been the case had Wrexham’s longest winless start to an EFL season on home soil been extended to six games by Oxford on a night when the hosts played the final quarter of the match a man down following Callum Doyle’s red card.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The cuts come after Chegg in May laid off 22% of its workforce, citing increasing adoption of AI.
    Annie Palmer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
  • With increasing space traffic from various nations and private companies, keeping tabs on potential collisions and threats becomes crucial.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prolong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolong. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on prolong

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