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
New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
Blizzard warnings are set to expire this evening, but several feet of snow are expected to remain on the ground for several days, while another clipper system is forecast to move through later this week, likely prolonging delays, though not necessarily causing a complete suspension of service.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
Additionally, peppers can offer a bit of afternoon shade to your lettuce plants, slowing down bolting and prolonging harvest.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026
The current deal framework would cede sovereignty but lease the Diego Garcia base for 99 years, ban other nations from utilizing nearby islands without British consent, and open the door to negotiations prolonging the arrangement in 40-year intervals.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
Heat also can raise evaporation rates, further stressing vegetation and prolonging dry conditions, especially when winds increase.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 6 Feb. 2026
In the end, Johnson relied on a combination of White House pressure, late-night negotiations and a reluctant coalition of Republicans and Democrats who agreed that prolonging the shutdown would inflict unnecessary harm on federal workers and the broader economy.
—Nik Popli, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Alongside this, Waight Keller argues that care is also key in prolonging a product’s lifespan.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Offensively, Adebayo mustered just six points on 3 for 10 shooting, prolonging one of his worst offensive slumps in memory.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
The prolonging of the war has also ratcheted up Israel’s isolation on the world stage.
—New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Aging systems, including the roof, electrical and plumbing infrastructure, would continue to deteriorate, potentially increasing long-term costs and prolonging uncertainty around the building’s future.
—Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
Blizzard warnings are set to expire this evening, but several feet of snow are expected to remain on the ground for several days, while another clipper system is forecast to move through later this week, likely prolonging delays, though not necessarily causing a complete suspension of service.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
Additionally, peppers can offer a bit of afternoon shade to your lettuce plants, slowing down bolting and prolonging harvest.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026
The current deal framework would cede sovereignty but lease the Diego Garcia base for 99 years, ban other nations from utilizing nearby islands without British consent, and open the door to negotiations prolonging the arrangement in 40-year intervals.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
Heat also can raise evaporation rates, further stressing vegetation and prolonging dry conditions, especially when winds increase.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 6 Feb. 2026
In the end, Johnson relied on a combination of White House pressure, late-night negotiations and a reluctant coalition of Republicans and Democrats who agreed that prolonging the shutdown would inflict unnecessary harm on federal workers and the broader economy.
—Nik Popli, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Alongside this, Waight Keller argues that care is also key in prolonging a product’s lifespan.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
Offensively, Adebayo mustered just six points on 3 for 10 shooting, prolonging one of his worst offensive slumps in memory.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonging
Noun
-
After a breakout rookie season that helped earn him an eight-year, $130 million contract extension, the Red Sox hope Anthony can soon follow in Ortiz’s footsteps to become the face of the franchise.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The 31-year-old French forward, who had been linked to several clubs during the offseason, including Inter Miami CF and Brazilian power Fluminense, has signed his second contract extension in less than four seasons with LAFC, the club announced on Wednesday.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The regulation also would extend the time asylum seekers must wait before becoming eligible to apply for a work permit, lengthening the period from 150 days to 365 days.—
Andrea Castillo Los Angeles Times,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Bootcut is the style of the season thanks to its leg-lengthening effect and versatility.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
By extending the life cycle of creative equipment, MPB actively reduces waste and the carbon footprint of the photo and video industry — proving that used doesn’t mean used up.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The flower buds may not open all at once, extending the blooming period.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Research into stretching and blood sugar is limited, but studies have had promising results.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Another candidate, this one for a high-level position, was doing a lot of stretching, Nibler said.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Throughout these years, Ma began to feel an increasing sense of remorse at his complicity in this system, which sparked deeper soul-searching around his identity as a Muslim, and what that meant within Chinese society.—
Rebecca Wright,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Beef prices have been increasing since the beginning of the decade.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prolonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonging. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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