prolonging 1 of 2

as in extension
the act of making longer his habitual prolonging of any task so that it fills up an entire afternoon

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prolonging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of prolong

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 prolonging
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
More than 5,000 migrants have remained in Ceuta, prolonging a humanitarian crisis that has become a political liability for Sánchez in Spain and beyond. Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 But El Niño amplifies the flames by prolonging dry conditions, lowering water levels in the peatland and turning plants into tinder. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 This will help keep your baking powder dry, prolonging its shelf life. Patricia S York, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2026 Thirty-six of Brown’s 101 pitches were sinkers, prolonging a seismic shift for a pitcher known for a menacing four-seam fastball. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Additionally, Oaks Park evacuated the park without providing traffic control, which delayed first responders from being able to enter the park quickly in an emergency, prolonging suffering. Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 When prolonging the time around the table, a gin and tonic is typically the digestive drink of choice, although rum and coke would come in a close second. Marti Buckley, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026 Adding a food-grade absorbent pad such as a paper towel to the bottom of the container can help wick away any excess moisture, prolonging the life of the blossoms. Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 3 Aug. 2026 Saudi Arabia's leaders are trying to avoid further regional escalation that would risk miscalculation or prolonging of the war. Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonging
Noun
  • Daniels will be eligible for an extension next season and will likely reset the market.
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The league announced the four-year extension Sunday, with Goodell’s deal running through March 31, 2031, which would secure his 25th year on the job.
    Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • So Chimedza chose not to move forward with lengthening his limbs, though confidence in that choice did not arrive immediately.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The new style is part of the Gucci Primavera collection, and the Donna features a striking, pronounced outline and clean lines all around, lengthening the leg.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Also, ibogaine’s prolongation of the heart’s QT intervals carries a real risk of fatal arrhythmia.
    Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The prolongation was 242 days in 2023 and 346 days in 2024, according to the report.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Skims has hired Tapestry veteran Natalie Buchberger as director of franchise for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, extending a recent run of leadership appointments as the shapewear and apparel company builds its international business.
    Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Lamont’s budget director, Office of Policy and Management Secretary Josh Wojcik, wrote in an email to state agency heads that extending current benefits at least for one more year also would help ensure departments are properly staffed.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Before the Rams went through stretching exercises, Donald sat on a red exercise ball, taking in the scene and focusing his thoughts for the workout ahead.
    Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Two to 3 inches of rain are possible in a corridor stretching from the Great Lakes into southern New England, though confidence is low on how far east the rain will travel.
    Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Widening gap The gap between hyperscaler CDS and bank CDS has widened to around 60 basis points from roughly 0 since October of 2025, implying that hyperscaler credit risk is increasing on its own terms, Slok's research shows.
    Tobias Burns, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Economic growth has also been on solid footing, though an increasing share of it has been driven by red-hot spending on AI — some of which is now being propelled by credit.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Prolonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonging. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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