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

Retail sales returned to growth in September after a prolonged slump, though sentiment is expected to be dented after a fire this week that killed at least 94 people in Hong Kong.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yet Spain emerged from its prolonged state of apathy and apoliticization as one of the most vibrant of Europe’s democracies.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Weak end-markets for chemicals and a prolonged earnings trough for the company add further context to the planned layoffs, Jefferies says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This experiment was done in another group of mice that had not been exposed to prolonged stress.

Read more on Science Daily

Lee was likely suffering from an "atypical depression" and prolonged grief reaction at the time of the murders, according to a psychiatric assessment conducted before the sentencing, local broadcaster RNZ reported.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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