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.
In addition to knowing what fruits and veggies to keep away from one another, keeping your produce stored at cooler temperatures is helpful for prolonging your food as well. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026 Golden State dominated the Sun from the jump and won 89-64 in Uncasville, picking up its second straight win to prolong a strong start to a four-game road trip before the WNBA’s FIBA World Cup break. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 The prayer gathering in one of the regions hardest hit by this year’s wildfire season comes as the province faces prolonged dry weather that has heightened the risk of forest and peatland fires. — Muhammad Hatta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Stones, Spence and Jones have been signed to prolong this team’s dominance, replacing De Vrij, Denzel Dumfries and, in time, Mkhitaryan. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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