prolong

American  

[pruh-lawng, -long] / prəˈlɔŋ, -ˈlɒŋ /

verb (used with object)

prolongs, present (3rd person singular) prolonged, past participle, past prolonging present participle

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.

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prolong British  

/ prəˈlɒŋ, ˌprəʊlɒŋˈɡeɪʃən /

verb

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

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Synonym Usage

See lengthen.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

• prolonging
  present
• prolonged
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• prolong
  simple
• prolongs
  simple
• have prolonged
  perfect
• has prolonged
  perfect
• am prolonging
  progressive
• are prolonging
  progressive
• is prolonging
  progressive
• have been prolonging
  perfect progressive
• has been prolonging
  perfect progressive

Past

• prolonged
  simple
• had prolonged
  perfect
• was prolonging
  progressive
• were prolonging
  progressive
• had been prolonging
  perfect progressive

Future

• will prolong
  simple
• will have prolonged
  perfect
• will be prolonging
  progressive
• will have been prolonging
  perfect progressive

Etymology

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, long ¹

Explanation

I don't want to prolong this definition, so I'll keep it short. To prolong is to make something last longer or to stretch it out in time. You see the word long in prolong and it's no trick. If you prolong an argument with a sibling, you make it longer than it naturally would be. Prolong always has to do with time. When you stretch your neck or a piece of cloth to make it appear longer, you are elongating, not prolonging, it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prolong prolongs prolonged prolonging

This year’s El Niño is also expected to prolong an already existing marine heat wave — currently in effect for reasons unrelated to El Niño — off the Southern California coast.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

The free-hitting Russian, 28, was rewarded for his persistence when he took his first set in four meetings with former world number one Djokovic to prolong the contest beyond the three-hour mark.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026

Khavinson, who received one of Russia’s highest state awards from Putin for achievements in medicine, said in interviews that he sought to prolong the life of a leader whose departure would throw Russia into crisis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026

The team also tested whether they could prolong these signals.

From Science Daily ● May 25, 2026

There was no reason to prolong the ordeal a moment longer.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson

It prolongs an earlier easing of sanctions that expired on April 11.

From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 2026

“To deny that only prolongs the situation and puts off any way of reckoning with it. We have to face it in order to understand that it’s within our human nature.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 2026

However, such soil testing and additional cleanup prolongs the cleanup timeline and can make it more expensive.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 16, 2026

“Dying intestate in California often prolongs the probate process, increasing legal and court fees,” the law firm says.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 6, 2025

This prolongs the period the larvae must spend in the hazardous world of the plankton and so decreases the chance they will live to adulthood.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Hundreds of intellectuals and others have signed letters and online petitions expressing fears of a disastrous denouement: the collection’s prolonged — and possible permanent — absence from Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

Domestic demand remains constrained by a prolonged property slump, though June’s import data pointed to stronger growth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Many parts of England and Wales are facing an increased wildfire risk after three record-breaking heatwaves and a prolonged lack of rainfall.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

"Persistent dominance of defender macrophages can create a prolonged inflammatory environment that contributes to post-traumatic osteoarthritis."

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

But the prolonged high pressure in the chamber below it had worked the bolts loose, and hydrogen gas was escaping into the reactor building.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Cloudflare said it chose to lay off so many people at once to avoid “dragging” its reorganization across multiple quarters, which would slow it down while prolonging uncertainty for workers.

From MarketWatch ● May 7, 2026

However, a long-lasting blockade would increase the risk that workers demand and secure higher wages, and that businesses raise prices of goods and services to cover their increased costs, prolonging the inflation bump.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

A 15-percent US tariff and higher duties for other key markets such as India risk prolonging weak prices and further squeezing margins, the ministry said, calling it a "source of concern".

From Barron's ● Jan. 21, 2026

It also warned: "Trade tensions could flare up, prolonging uncertainty and weighing more heavily on activity."

From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026

He was charged with prolonging the war by his activity as a Volkssturm organizer.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Related Words

• continue
• delay
• drag out
• lengthen
• perpetuate
• protract
• stall