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
Joy Emeh, Health, 16 Mar. 2026
Settling on a fair model to share the money generated by the growing league is just one of many issues prolonging negotiations.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
While the goal isn’t to eliminate menopause, prolonging ovarian function could play a critical role in improving women’s health outcomes, Garrison said.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 11 Mar. 2026
If common ground isn’t found, the federal government will be forced to intervene, which will most definitely trigger a flood of lengthy state litigations, only prolonging and worsening the crisis.
—Pete McBride, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats shot down a bill to fund DHS, prolonging the shutdown of the department.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 26 Feb. 2026
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
Another clipper system is forecast to move through later this week, likely prolonging delays, though not necessarily causing a complete suspension of service.
—Brandi D. Addison, The Providence Journal, 23 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
Noun
The prolonging of the war has also ratcheted up Israel’s isolation on the world stage.
—New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Eating can also slow the passage of probiotics through the stomach, prolonging their time there and increasing their chance of dying.
—Joy Emeh, Health, 16 Mar. 2026
Settling on a fair model to share the money generated by the growing league is just one of many issues prolonging negotiations.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
While the goal isn’t to eliminate menopause, prolonging ovarian function could play a critical role in improving women’s health outcomes, Garrison said.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 11 Mar. 2026
If common ground isn’t found, the federal government will be forced to intervene, which will most definitely trigger a flood of lengthy state litigations, only prolonging and worsening the crisis.
—Pete McBride, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats shot down a bill to fund DHS, prolonging the shutdown of the department.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 26 Feb. 2026
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
Another clipper system is forecast to move through later this week, likely prolonging delays, though not necessarily causing a complete suspension of service.
—Brandi D. Addison, The Providence Journal, 23 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonging
Noun
-
The committee is also looking for a year-long contract extension for union health benefits.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The Royals rewarded Garcia with a five-year contract extension.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than spending their time packing, unpacking, and setting up the tent, a family with kids can get straight to gathering around a fire or challenging each other to ever-lengthening cold plunges in the spa.—
Naomi Tomky,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Released on the cusp of daylight saving time, this is the perfect album for the onset of spring, when the lengthening days leave more time to soak up the music’s radiance.—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ahead of a meeting in Brussels, the European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc's foreign ministers would discuss possibly extending a naval mission that protects ships in the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, without giving any details.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Carlsbad is extending a temporary art program begun in 2019 that places colorfully painted, oversized beach chairs in public places around the city.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Whether due to discoloration, pilling, or elastic stretching, bed sheets start to show their age over time.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
13 Mar. 2026
-
After some stretching and instruction, I was let loose in the Atlantic.—
Austin Bush,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Sacramento Police Department also said officers were monitoring developments and increasing patrols around places of worship.—
Daniel Hunt
March 12,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But airlines, which are footing much of the bill for the construction, pushed for Global Terminal construction to get moved up in line, hoping to ensure the centerpiece wouldn’t be threatened by increasing costs.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prolonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonging. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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