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
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
When bail is granted, ICE appeals, prolonging detention for 90 more days.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
Shipping and oil-market analysts say a ceasefire without a plan to reopen the strait risks leaving the strategic artery in Tehran’s hands, prolonging the shock.
—Gerry Doyle, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
Try Lasagna Planting Another popular planting technique that can work well for prolonging your garden’s blooms is the lasagna method.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
Since then, Republicans and Democrats have pointed fingers at each other for prolonging the shutdown.
—Justin Papp, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
In the March 31 season 8 premiere of Welcome to Plathville, Ethan opened up about the divorce, which had not yet been finalized at the time of filming, and accused Olivia of prolonging the process.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
The disagreement has left the two chambers at an impasse, with neither proposal able to pass both the House and Senate, prolonging the funding lapse and its effects on airport security staffing and operations.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Minoxidil works by prolonging the anagen phase, allowing hair to grow longer and fuller before eventually transitioning into the rest period.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 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
Much to the anguish and upset of their adult children, Kevin and Joy, Mavis and Dennis Eccleston decided to end their lives together when 81-year-old Dennis received a terminal cancer diagnosis and declined treatment to avoid prolonging his suffering.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
When bail is granted, ICE appeals, prolonging detention for 90 more days.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
Shipping and oil-market analysts say a ceasefire without a plan to reopen the strait risks leaving the strategic artery in Tehran’s hands, prolonging the shock.
—Gerry Doyle, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
Try Lasagna Planting Another popular planting technique that can work well for prolonging your garden’s blooms is the lasagna method.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
Since then, Republicans and Democrats have pointed fingers at each other for prolonging the shutdown.
—Justin Papp, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
In the March 31 season 8 premiere of Welcome to Plathville, Ethan opened up about the divorce, which had not yet been finalized at the time of filming, and accused Olivia of prolonging the process.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
The disagreement has left the two chambers at an impasse, with neither proposal able to pass both the House and Senate, prolonging the funding lapse and its effects on airport security staffing and operations.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Minoxidil works by prolonging the anagen phase, allowing hair to grow longer and fuller before eventually transitioning into the rest period.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonging
Noun
-
The Chicago Blackhawks have given general manager Kyle Davidson a multiyear contract extension, Chairman and CEO Danny Wirtz said Wednesday.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The contract extension covers the 2027-34 seasons, which include the final five seasons of club control and McGonigle’s first three seasons of free agency.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cuts to federal Medi-Cal financing will destabilize public hospitals, lengthening emergency room waits and reducing services.—
Susan Ellenberg,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Before the Iran war began in late February, China’s lead in clean technologies was lengthening.—
Chan Ho-Him,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The prolongation was 242 days in 2023 and 346 days in 2024, according to the report.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The joint Real Housewives of Atlanta alums are extending their buzzy Queen & King of Reality Tour with stops in Birmingham, Tampa, Dallas and Houston, to take place this May and June, The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively reveal.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2026
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So Delta decided to up the ante with its new design, extending the lie-flat bed by more than three inches for even more comfort—for a total of six-and-a-half feet of space when fully extended.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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,
12 Apr. 2026
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Warming up with light movement, such as walking or dynamic stretching, before a workout as well as cooling down afterward can help prepare muscles, improve flexibility and reduce soreness.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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South Korea is increasing generation at its nuclear plants and speeding up maintenance at five offline reactors, with restarts planned in May.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Bolivia is low on cash after making more than $500 million in debt payments last month, increasing the urgency of reaching a deal with the International Monetary Fund.—
Sergio Mendoza,
Bloomberg,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prolonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonging. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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