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 potential freeze could prolong the pain for borrowers hammered by high-cost mortgage or credit card payments. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2024

This also helps prolong the sweater’s life in between washes. —Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 10 Dec. 2024

The Likud Party leader has stated that the judicial reform legislation does not affect his criminal case, and maintained that the Gaza war is prolonged only by the effort to eliminate Hamas as a threat. —Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

Should the law be challenged in court, the process to ban TikTok could be prolonged for months, or even years. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Dec. 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