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
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
More papules emerge as blisters burst, prolonging the torment.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Most observers believe no Democrat will win a majority in the rapidly approaching May 19 primary, prolonging the party's uncertainty.
—CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
More papules emerge as blisters burst, prolonging the torment.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Most observers believe no Democrat will win a majority in the rapidly approaching May 19 primary, prolonging the party's uncertainty.
—CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonging
Noun
-
The Vikings signed Van Ginkel to a two-year, $20 million contract during free agency in 2024 and tacked on a one-year, $23 million extension last offseason.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
Simison noted that the Idaho 16 extension and improvements on Linder Road are expected to alleviate congestion on Ten Mile Road.—
Rose Evans
Updated May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
This lengthening effect happens all the time for all sorts of waves, not just light.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 May 2026
-
Regrading your property, cleaning overflowing gutters, and lengthening downspouts to direct water away from the house can help.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 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
-
And of course Mike Brown pulled Mitchell Robinson, who missed four straight free throws when the 76ers began intentionally fouling him in the first quarter, only to continue extending the lead despite the Sixers’ attempts at stifling his rotation.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
For his part, Becerra supports extending existing measures like Propositions 30 and 55, both of which call for much smaller tax increases on a larger share of citizens.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Each session is one hour and 30 minutes long, with 10 minutes for stretching and one hour and 20 minutes to learn the choreography.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
He was forced off in the 59th minute against Palace after over-stretching to reach a pass from Dominik Szoboszlai.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This feeling of stasis is made all the more worrying by Ukraine’s increasing ability to strike inside Russia itself.—
Joshua Yaffa,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
-
Verdier says the increasing regulation in the car industry and the push to move away from fossil fuels are part of the reason why Ferrari is so enthusiastic about this project.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prolonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonging. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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