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

Experts say warmer conditions are prolonging the growing season, pushing the signs of fall's arrival back later. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could present it as a political win after facing heavy domestic criticism for failing to prevent Hamas’s horrific October 7 attacks and prolonging the military campaign in Gaza. —Frederic Wehrey, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2024

The best beauty Advent calendars take the thrill of Christmas morning and prolong it for days on end. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2024

Advertisement World & Nation 62 killed in Portugal forest fires, many dying in their cars as flames sweep road June 18, 2017 With no rain forecast, national authorities prolonged an alert for fires until Thursday. —Helena Alves and Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 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