prolonged

adjective

pro·​longed prə-ˈlȯŋd 

: continuing for a notably long time : extended in duration

a prolonged delay

a prolonged recession

a prolonged absence

a prolonged drought

And in today's competitive situation a prolonged strike can very easily lead to a serious loss of market share which is difficult, if not impossible, to recapture.

—David Reid

Sometimes the only answer is a prolonged time away from the sport followed by a slow, steady reconditioning program along with physiotherapy of some type …

—William J. Goldwag

prolongedly

prə-ˈlȯŋ-əd-lē 

adverb

… and Andy demonstrates … the odd talent of coughing in his sleep, coughing prolongedly without waking himself.

—John Updike

Examples of prolonged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both parties are preparing to challenge ballots, especially if mail-in or absentee votes are decisive in swing states, raising the possibility of prolonged court fights. —Mike Allen, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

External candidates also face more prolonged vetting processes, with additional reference checks and broader consensus needed. —Gina Riley, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

After a prolonged period of low incidence rates following the emergence of COVID-19, M. pneumoniae cases are now on the rise. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

The cooldown of the nation’s labor market has coincided with a prolonged period of elevated interest rates. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined above