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 prə- prolonger
prə-ˈlȯŋ-ər
noun 
Synonyms
- drag (out)
- draw out
- elongate
- extend
- lengthen
- outstretch
- protract
- stretch
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Additives are used to prolong the shelf life of packaged food. High interest rates were prolonging the recession.
Recent Examples on the Web If shortstop Jorge Mateo could prolong the success of his past six games into a larger sample size, the possibilities are nearly endless. 
Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2022 And uncontrolled infections are a gift to the virus, which keeps birthing new variants that could prolong the current level of crisis or send it spiraling back into a greater level of disruption. Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 27 June 2022 Concerns about a slowdown have been elevated since Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting a jump in energy and commodity prices that could prolong rising inflation. Damian J. Troise, ajc, 21 Apr. 2022 And there is a risk that his current approach will merely prolong the war, leading to more death and destruction. W. James Antle Iii, The Week, 20 Apr. 2022 The Russian démarche echoed the public rhetoric of officials in Moscow, who have been warning for weeks that Western arms deliveries to Ukraine would prolong the war and be met with a tough response. New York Times, 15 Apr. 2022 But maybe Mateo can prolong this run into something more. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2022 The drug could prolong her life, but the side effects are profound: severe cramping of her fingers, migraines and debilitating fatigue. Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2021 But failing to vaccinate adolescents and teens will only prolong the pandemic, many experts say. Tribune News Service, oregonlive, 1 Oct. 2021 See More
Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2022 And uncontrolled infections are a gift to the virus, which keeps birthing new variants that could prolong the current level of crisis or send it spiraling back into a greater level of disruption. Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 27 June 2022 Concerns about a slowdown have been elevated since Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting a jump in energy and commodity prices that could prolong rising inflation. Damian J. Troise, ajc, 21 Apr. 2022 And there is a risk that his current approach will merely prolong the war, leading to more death and destruction. W. James Antle Iii, The Week, 20 Apr. 2022 The Russian démarche echoed the public rhetoric of officials in Moscow, who have been warning for weeks that Western arms deliveries to Ukraine would prolong the war and be met with a tough response. New York Times, 15 Apr. 2022 But maybe Mateo can prolong this run into something more. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2022 The drug could prolong her life, but the side effects are profound: severe cramping of her fingers, migraines and debilitating fatigue. Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2021 But failing to vaccinate adolescents and teens will only prolong the pandemic, many experts say. Tribune News Service, oregonlive, 1 Oct. 2021 See More 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
prolonged; prolonging
: to make longer than usual or expected
Medicines prolonged his life.
prolong
verb
as in to lengthen
to make longer would like to prolong our vacation by any means possible Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- lengthen
- extend
- increase
- protract
- stretch
- elongate
- draw out
- expand
- enlarge
- outstretch
- drag (out)
- attenuate
- amplify
- thin
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- shorten
- curtail
- reduce
- cut
- abridge
- diminish
- lessen
- decrease
- abbreviate
- cut back
- thicken
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of prolong are extend, lengthen, and protract. While all these words mean "to draw out or add to so as to increase in length," prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.
prolonged illness
Both 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
Protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.
protracted litigation