prolong

[pruh-lawng, -long]

verb (used with object)

1. to lengthen out in time; extend the duration of; cause to continue longer.

   to prolong one's stay abroad.

   Antonyms: abbreviate

2. to make longer in spatial extent.

   to prolong a line.

prolong

/ prəˈlɒŋ, ˌprəʊlɒŋˈɡeɪʃən /

verb

1. (tr) to lengthen in duration or space; extend

Other Word Forms

• prolongable adjective
• prolongableness noun
• prolongably adverb
• prolonger noun
• prolongment noun
• unprolongable adjective
• prolongation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prolong¹

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; pro- ¹, long ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of prolong¹

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

Synonym Study

See lengthen.

Example Sentences

“They are deliberate acts of cruelty designed to deepen the families’ suffering and prolong Hamas’s control.”

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But the performance was marred by a one-time charge of $4.9 billion on the 777X program, which has faced a prolonged certification process with US air officials.

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While it’s unusual to see such a dynamic over a prolonged period, a “significant productivity story” is underway, with companies investing to grow and getting results without necessarily adding workers, he said.

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But a prolonging of the current US government shutdown over a budget dispute could begin to unsettle investors, as likely would another collapse of the French government.

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When it comes to the price stability portion of the Fed’s dual mandate, the U.S. finds itself in a prolonged period of stubbornly high inflation.

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Related Words

• continue 
• delay 
• drag out www.thesaurus.com
• lengthen 
• perpetuate 
• protract 
• stall