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
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
Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 27 May 2026
In other words, that men live longer and healthier lives if they are backed up by a spouse in doing so, while women don’t see the same support in prolonging their length and quality of life.
—Katharina Buchholz, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Kabuga, somewhere in his 90s — his age is disputed — and suffering from severe dementia, had been forced to remain in the United Nations detention facility in The Hague after he was found unfit to stand trial in 2023 as no country was willing to take him in, prolonging the case against him.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Regular Harvesting Frequent picking is essential for prolonging your cucumber harvest.
—Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
Iran has continued to block ships from passing through the strait, disrupting critical Gulf oil supplies and prolonging the global economic uncertainty surrounding the conflict.
—Peter Nicholas, NBC news, 10 May 2026
Okert walked Ward on five pitches, prolonging the pitching staff’s season-defining propensity.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 May 2026
These dynamic risks are prolonging inflation and complicating the path for central banks, which may need to keep interest rates higher for longer to contain price pressures.
—USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Peace talks have stalled ahead of the war’s two-month mark, prolonging oil disruptions and stoking higher gas prices around the world.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
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
The green beans provide shade, prolonging the spinach growing season by preventing bolting and excess sun exposure.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 27 May 2026
In other words, that men live longer and healthier lives if they are backed up by a spouse in doing so, while women don’t see the same support in prolonging their length and quality of life.
—Katharina Buchholz, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Kabuga, somewhere in his 90s — his age is disputed — and suffering from severe dementia, had been forced to remain in the United Nations detention facility in The Hague after he was found unfit to stand trial in 2023 as no country was willing to take him in, prolonging the case against him.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Regular Harvesting Frequent picking is essential for prolonging your cucumber harvest.
—Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
Iran has continued to block ships from passing through the strait, disrupting critical Gulf oil supplies and prolonging the global economic uncertainty surrounding the conflict.
—Peter Nicholas, NBC news, 10 May 2026
Okert walked Ward on five pitches, prolonging the pitching staff’s season-defining propensity.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 May 2026
These dynamic risks are prolonging inflation and complicating the path for central banks, which may need to keep interest rates higher for longer to contain price pressures.
—USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Peace talks have stalled ahead of the war’s two-month mark, prolonging oil disruptions and stoking higher gas prices around the world.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonging
Noun
-
The second extension lapsed on May 27 without a formal objection filed.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
3 June 2026
-
Selfie sticks For the safety and comfort of all guests, guests may only bring selfie sticks, handheld extension poles and tripods no longer than 18 inches on board, for use in most areas.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Hudson is 5-foot-6 but appeared supermodel-tall in the photos, thanks in part to her leg-lengthening jeans.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
Due to the 12-inch high waist, these jeans create a leg-lengthening effect.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The prolongation was 242 days in 2023 and 346 days in 2024, according to the report.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Topline Oracle shares hit a 2026 intraday high Monday, extending a furious late-May rally that has recast the database pioneer as a marquee AI-infrastructure player and boosted the fortune of cofounder Larry Ellison, who holds roughly 40% of the company.—
Alicia Park,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Israel’s capture of Beaufort, which sits atop a ridge roughly 2,352 feet above sea level, grants it fire-control views of important highways over the Litani River and territories extending into Israel and Syria.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Haunted Mansion props on the parade floats will include the conservatory casket, cryptic gravestones, gargoyle candleholders, haunted armor and stretching room portraits, according to the concept art.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
2 June 2026
-
The first happens in accordance with the Earth’s rotation, the second will be healed with stretching and Ibuprofen, and the third is simply a fact of life and the passage of time.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The pacemaker transformed cardiac medicine by dramatically increasing survival rates for patients with arrhythmias and heart block, becoming one of the most important life-saving medical technologies ever created.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
-
Rain and storm chances are increasing in the afternoon.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prolonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonging. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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