Synonyms of prolonging

prolonging 1 of 2

noun

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

• extension
• prolongation
• stretching
• lengthening
• elongation
• drawing out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shortening
• curtailment
• abbreviation
• cutback
• abridgment

prolonging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of prolong

as in lengthening

to make longer

would like to prolong our vacation by any means possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lengthening
• extending
• increasing
• stretching
• elongating
• protracting
• dragging (out)
• drawing out
• expanding
• enlarging
• amplifying
• outstretching
• attenuating
• thinning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• curtailing
• shortening
• cutting
• reducing
• decreasing
• diminishing
• lessening
• cutting back
• abridging
• abbreviating
• thickening

Example Sentences

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

Trump has accused the Ukrainian president of not wanting peace, while Zelenskyy has argued that Washington's easing of sanctions on Russia, including a deal on diesel, risks prolonging the conflict. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Many of his domestic critics have faulted him for prolonging the war in Gaza to appease his far-right allies, and for permitting ultra-Orthodox Jews to forgo military service to appease that sizable religious voter bloc. — Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains dangerous and constrained, prolonging uncertainty over oil supplies and fuel prices. — Cathy Bussewitz, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026

Trump initially promised to end it in weeks, and Democrats, including Newsom, have criticized him for prolonging the conflict. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Milk contains protein and carbohydrates, which slow digestion, prolonging the presence of water in the body. — Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said foreign powers are central to prolonging the war. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Washing your robe is important from both a hygiene standpoint, as well as for prolonging its lifespan. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

As American leaders increasingly seek short, decisive military operations, the United States may increasingly confront adversaries that see advantages in prolonging conflicts. — Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026