as in extension
the act of making longer
his habitual prolonging of any task so that it fills up an entire afternoon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in lengthening
to make longer
would like to prolong our vacation by any means possible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prolonging
Paul Webster Hare, The Conversation, 19 Jan. 2026
The prolonging of the war has also ratcheted up Israel’s isolation on the world stage.
—New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Peter Nicholas, NBC news, 10 May 2026
Okert walked Ward on five pitches, prolonging the pitching staff’s season-defining propensity.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 May 2026
These dynamic risks are prolonging inflation and complicating the path for central banks, which may need to keep interest rates higher for longer to contain price pressures.
—USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Peace talks have stalled ahead of the war’s two-month mark, prolonging oil disruptions and stoking higher gas prices around the world.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
More papules emerge as blisters burst, prolonging the torment.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Most observers believe no Democrat will win a majority in the rapidly approaching May 19 primary, prolonging the party's uncertainty.
—CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
Looking ahead, Trump’s prolonging of Chavismo is a political gamble in Florida – a state where many Latin Republican voters despise the system and any dealing with socialist governments.
—Paul Webster Hare, The Conversation, 19 Jan. 2026
The prolonging of the war has also ratcheted up Israel’s isolation on the world stage.
—New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Iran has continued to block ships from passing through the strait, disrupting critical Gulf oil supplies and prolonging the global economic uncertainty surrounding the conflict.
—Peter Nicholas, NBC news, 10 May 2026
Okert walked Ward on five pitches, prolonging the pitching staff’s season-defining propensity.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 May 2026
These dynamic risks are prolonging inflation and complicating the path for central banks, which may need to keep interest rates higher for longer to contain price pressures.
—USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Peace talks have stalled ahead of the war’s two-month mark, prolonging oil disruptions and stoking higher gas prices around the world.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
More papules emerge as blisters burst, prolonging the torment.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Most observers believe no Democrat will win a majority in the rapidly approaching May 19 primary, prolonging the party's uncertainty.
—CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonging
Noun
-
Some framed their opposition to the road improvements, and by extension the wall, in the language of cross-border unity.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
The Dolphins and Achane agreed to a four-year contract extension Wednesday evening that keeps him signed to the team through 2030 and is worth a base of $64 million and can reach $68 million with incentives, with $32 million guaranteed, according to a league source.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Their front crisp seams also have a leg-lengthening effect — a big plus for a petite wearer like me.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
7 May 2026
-
This lengthening effect happens all the time for all sorts of waves, not just light.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The prolongation was 242 days in 2023 and 346 days in 2024, according to the report.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Small adjustments made big differences, like increasing pocket sizes to better fit the tennis balls and, with Sabet’s suggestion, extending her coat to the floor.—
Kaio Cesar,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Mominul followed his 91 with 56 in the second innings, extending his rich form with five half-centuries in a row and became the Bangladesh batter to reach 5,000 runs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Later in the day, meditation sessions are also free for guests, one of the many options from the activity calendar that includes garden cricket, croquet, volleyball, basketball and bocce ball activities as well as core exercise and stretching classes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
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With cottages in the Malibu mountains and a stone mansion in Hudson Valley, The Ranch combines early mornings, long mountain hikes and strength training with yoga and stretching.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Verb
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James Ward During the debate, Republican candidate Steve Hilton said that only a small percentage of California has been developed for housing, arguing that the state should focus on building homes on undeveloped land rather than increasing density in existing cities.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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Doing so compresses the light reflected from the plasma, thereby increasing its intensity.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prolonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonging. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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