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
Seattle’s skid, which dates to a 3-2 home win over San Jose on May 13, is the longest in single-season franchise history and the most-prolonged losing streak in MLS since Nashville also lost eight straight in 2024. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 Discovery merger as prolonged uncertainty runs the risk of diverting time and resources away from achieving these priorities. — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
While Taco Bell or other restaurant chains may take a temporary sales hit as headlines about the outbreak swirl, particularly in the states most affected by it, analysts said any dips in revenue or stock prices likely will not be prolonged. — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 17 July 2026 During the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–88, which Khomeini prolonged for several years after repelling the Iraqi invasion, a disproportionate burden fell on Iranians in the southwestern and western provinces. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 17 July 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
  • Sources at Arsenal and Newcastle suggest that the protracted pursuit of Guimaraes is now entering its end game.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Less of a reboot than a shameless do-over, Marc Webb‘s first Spider-Man film tells a more protracted origin story, with half the fun and twice the self-importance (the film earns a rare dead-dad hat trick).
    — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of protracted
Verb
  • Like a single on the old-skool charts, Sean Combs‘ prison time keeps moving up and down, with the Bad Boy Records founder’s stint behind bars lengthened again.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Originally built for Seabourn in the 1990s, this older ship was purchased by Windstar in 2015 and refurbished and lengthened in 2020.
    — Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of lengthened
Adjective
  • In practice, continual criticism from an investor, an outpouring of negative public sentiment, a prolonged issue at home, or persistent conflict within the executive team can begin to command disproportionate mental resources.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • America’s debt burden is rising faster than estimates just a few years ago, exacerbated by persistent deficits and soaring interest payments.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of persistent
Verb
  • And, as pointed out by DC bar news website Barred In DC, alcohol sales on the National Mall have extended well past Freedom 250 events.
    — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Due to the number of comments and requests from community members, the air district extended the period twice to allow for additional public input.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 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
  • The entry of streaming services such as Amazon, Apple and Netflix have only increased the rights fees.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Russell won Saturday's sprint at Zandvoort but Antonelli still increased his standings lead to 53 points despite placing fourth.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 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
  • Hull also played with a back five, where the wing-backs stretched the width of the pitch to then put dangerous crosses into the box.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • At the crime scene, red and yellow police tape was seen stretched across Fulton Street.
    — Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 23 Aug. 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 27 Aug. 2026.

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