prolong

[ pruh-lawng, -long ]

See synonyms for prolong on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to lengthen out in time; extend the duration of; cause to continue longer: to prolong one's stay abroad.
to make longer in spatial extent: to prolong a line.

Origin of prolong

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English prolongen, from Late Latin prōlongāre “to lengthen,” equivalent to prō- “forward, forth” + long(us) “long” + -ā- theme vowel + -re infinitive ending; see pro-¹, long¹

synonym study For prolong

1. See lengthen.

Opposites for prolong

1	abbreviate

See antonyms for prolong on Thesaurus.com

Other words from prolong

pro·long·a·ble, adjective
pro·long·a·ble·ness, noun
pro·long·a·bly, adverb
pro·long·er, noun
pro·long·ment, noun
un·pro·long·a·ble, adjective

Words Nearby prolong

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prolong in a sentence

We smile weakly, not wanting to let them down or prolong the conversation.
The Malaysian Air Tragedy Reawakens a Primal Fear | Kelly Williams Brown | July 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
When he finally became president, Nixon walked away from that war to prolong a futile one half a world away.
100 Years of Right (And Left) Moves | Robert Shrum | March 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Drugs are becoming more powerful with prescription painkillers used to enhance effect and prolong a deleterious pleasure.
Heroin: America’s Silent Assassin | Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Robert M. Lober, MD, PhD | February 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
What the U.S. is doing now can only prolong Syrian and regional agonies.
Face the Assad Reality In Syria | Frank G. Wisner, Leslie H. Gelb | January 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In Congress, Radel has been a strong conservative and Tea Party favorite who voted to prolong the government shutdown in October.
Hip-Hop Conservative Rep. Trey Radel Charged With Cocaine Possession | Ben Jacobs | November 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

I shall show how it is possible thus to prolong life to the term set by God.
The Mediaeval Mind (Volume II of II) | Henry Osborn Taylor
However, a sojourn in a milder climate might prolong his life for a few months; so he advised Algeria.
Bastien Lepage | Fr. Crastre
It is ill-bred, and looks as if you were unaccustomed to such pleasures, and so desirous to prolong each one.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley
But Colt tried to prolong the contest by bringing up a voter an hour.
The History of England from the Accession of James II. | Thomas Babington Macaulay
The others would bring enough for a winter grubstake, and would prolong their freedom and their independence just that much.
Cabin Fever | B. M. Bower

British Dictionary definitions for prolong

prolong

/ (prəˈlɒŋ) /

verb

(tr) to lengthen in duration or space; extend

Origin of prolong

C15: from Late Latin prōlongāre to extend, from Latin pro- 1 + longus long

Derived forms of prolong

prolongation (ˌprəʊlɒŋˈɡeɪʃən), noun
prolonger, noun
prolongment, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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