prolonged 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of prolongednext
as in protracted

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Dissimilar Words

prolonged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of prolong
as in lengthened
to make longer would like to prolong our vacation by any means possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 prolonged
Adjective
The strength in export manufacturing has helped to offset prolonged weakness in domestic spending and investmentdue to a prolonged downturn in the property industry. — ABC News, 13 July 2026 The combination of strong July sunshine and increasing warmth will make conditions potentially dangerous for prolonged outdoor activity during the afternoon and early evening hours. — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 13 July 2026
Verb
The Mets prolonged Mendoza’s fate. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 26 June 2026 On the other hand, prolonged inactivity due to illness, immobilization or a sedentary lifestyle can lead to bone loss. — Priya Bhardwaj, The Conversation, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for prolonged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonged
  1. protracted
  2. lengthened
  3. persistent
  4. extended
  5. longish
  6. increased
  7. overlong
  8. stretched
Adjective
  • Concern over a more protracted conflict has implications for inflation and, as a result, will fall into the in-tray of the interest rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), led by new Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • And while the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) could ultimately become involved if there is a protracted lockout, history has shown that attempting to ram a labor deal on the players might not go as planned.
    — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of protracted
Verb
  • In some areas, however, demand for testing has lengthened the turnaround time to two to three days, doctors said.
    — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 10 July 2026
  • As a second-generation Taiwanese American, my family made frequent trips between California and the island nation, an arduous 15-hour flight, lengthened by stopovers in Hawaii or Alaska in the early days.
    — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of lengthened
Adjective
  • Kyle Clark, an anchorman on Denver’s 9News, asked the candidate in a persistent and revealing sit-down interview.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
  • The yen has lost 51% of its value against the dollar since 2012, as the central bank kept monetary policy loose to fight persistent deflation.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of persistent
Verb
  • Ahead of the trophy celebrations, the Spanish extended an olive branch, providing a guard of honour to their opponents.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The 14-day restraining order could be extended to as long as 28 days.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of extended
Adjective
  • The errand conveniently provided the opportunity for a longish highway test of Lexus’ newest luxury people-mover.
    — Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
  • When the front door opens, they’re greeted by an androgynous person with longish hair, thick eyebrows and a deep voice.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of longish
Verb
  • Bike lane tickets increased to $250 after the 2022 death of 3-year-old Lily Grace Shambrook, who was killed in a traffic crash while riding on the back of her mother’s bike in Uptown.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
  • Researchers could not attribute increased or decreased beach erosion to higher global average temperatures.
    — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of increased
Adjective
  • Vaniček has certainly delivered — a relentlessly violent, overlong, one-note, meandering grindhouse that lacks its predecessors' Looney Tunes approach to horror and humor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • This is a nearly two-and-a-half-hour film but Spielberg’s expert pacing keeps it from feeling overlong.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2026
Definition of overlong
Verb
  • Officials warn about dangerous air Milwaukee, Chicago and Detroit had some of the worst air quality in the country Friday morning, but dangerous levels of pollution stretched into southern Ohio and West Virginia.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Rushing has been pressed into action with Will Smith out, as the franchise catcher’s neck issue has stretched from days to weeks to months, with no firm timetable in sight.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of stretched

Browse Nearby Words

prolongations
prolonged
prolonging
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Cite this Entry

“Prolonged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonged. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on prolonged

Nglish: Translation of prolonged for Spanish Speakers

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