prolong

verb

pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ 

prolonged; prolonging; prolongs

transitive verb

1

: to lengthen in time : continue

2

: to lengthen in extent, scope, or range

prolongation

(ˌ)prō-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən  prə- 

noun

prolonger

prə-ˈlȯŋ-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• drag (out)
• draw out
• elongate
• extend
• lengthen
• outstretch
• protract
• stretch

Choose the Right Synonym for prolong

extend, lengthen, prolong, protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase in length.

extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range.

extend a vacation

extend welfare services

lengthen a skirt

lengthen the workweek

prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.

protracted litigation

Examples of prolong in a Sentence

Additives are used to prolong the shelf life of packaged food.

High interest rates were prolonging the recession.

Recent Examples on the Web

The nature of California’s new system of largely vote-by-mail ballots, and a 30-day canvass period in which election officials can resolve problem ballots, certify results, and conduct an audit, prolongs the release of official final results. —Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

Many states cannot begin counting mail-in ballots until Election Day itself, which could prolong the wait for results and stir concerns about transparency and fairness. —Time Staff, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024

The March defeat suffered by Mead, in particular, put the NEC issue firmly in the spotlight, causing a steep and prolonged sell-off in the shares of both companies. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024

Netanyahu appears convinced that his country’s security, along with his own political survival, depends on prolonging the military offensives and keeping both Gaza and Lebanon ungovernable, and therefore acquiescent. —Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French prolonguer, from Late Latin prolongare, from Latin pro- forward + longus long

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prolong

verb

pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ 

: to make longer in time

prolonged the visit