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

In actuality, that’s the best thing to do since prolonging the repair can lead to a full-on replacement that wasn’t warranted in the first place. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 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

Hinch directed questions about the timing of this move to the front office, but the Tigers clearly did not view any PPI possibilities as worth the cost of prolonging Clark’s ascension to the majors. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 1 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

Now, Putin is providing assistance to Iran in the form of munitions, money, and intelligence, effectively prolonging the war. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 30 July 2026

David Steiner told the MetroWest Daily News that the couple had hoped to take the case to trial but decided against prolonging the litigation for several more years through likely appeals. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Jordan Grimes, a housing advocate with Peninsula for Everyone, warned that rejecting the farmworker project could make the state less willing to approve Half Moon Bay’s housing plan, prolonging the city’s exposure to the builder’s remedy. — Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 27 July 2026