prolong

verb

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

transitive verb

1
: to lengthen in time : continue
2
: to lengthen in extent, scope, or range
prolongation
(ˌ)prō-ˌlȯŋ-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce prolong (audio) prə- How to pronounce prolong (audio)
noun
prolonger
prə-ˈlȯŋ-ər How to pronounce prolong (audio)
noun

Synonyms of prolong

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When prolonging the time around the table, a gin and tonic is typically the digestive drink of choice, although rum and coke would come in a close second. — Marti Buckley, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most people with a healthy immune system will eventually recover on their own, but the illness can be prolonged. — Maria Godoy, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026 Hinch directed questions about the timing of this move to the front office, but the Tigers clearly did not view any PPI possibilities as worth the cost of prolonging Clark’s ascension to the majors. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Saudi Arabia's leaders are trying to avoid further regional escalation that would risk miscalculation or prolonging of the war. — Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for prolong

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

Rhymes for prolong

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Browse Nearby Words

prologue
prolong
prolongable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prolong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prolong. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of prolong for Spanish Speakers

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