prolong

verb

pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ How to pronounce prolong (audio)
prolonged; prolonging; prolongs

transitive verb

1
: to lengthen in time : continue
2
: to lengthen in extent, scope, or range
prolonger noun
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 Democrats, looking to be more egalitarian, prefer to award delegates proportionally, but that can prolong primary fights. Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 2 Mar. 2024 Negotiations over spending have been prolonged by House conservatives demanding steep cuts and policy changes while refusing to support any bipartisan legislation. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 29 Feb. 2024 But observers say the country's overall medical service would suffer a major blow if the walkouts prolonged, or if senior doctors join the strike. Hyung-Jin Kim and Jiwon Song, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2024 Brandon Crawford and the St. Louis Cardinals came to an agreement Monday on a deal that will prolong the three-time All-Star’s professional career but also take him to a new organization — and a new spring training home — for the first time. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 Moreover, cueing during this phase prolonged the wave and increased the power of associated spindles. Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024 For example, parents in Newton, Mass., are seeking damages for a teachers’ strike that led to 11 days off school this winter, and teachers’ unions were criticized for their role in prolonging school closures during the pandemic. Sarah Mervosh, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2024 Hina went on to blame an abuse of federal subsidiaries for prolonging the war in Gaza. Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 Long COVID activists, including a group that crashed a Senate hearing in January, said a change to the official isolation recommendations would only prolong COVID-19 infections and increase the number of people with long COVID. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prolong.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of prolong was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near prolong

Cite this Entry

“Prolong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prolong. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

prolong

verb
pro·​long prə-ˈlȯŋ How to pronounce prolong (audio)
: to make longer in time
prolonged the visit

More from Merriam-Webster on prolong

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