prolong

American  

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

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.

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prolong British  

/ prəˈlɒŋ, ˌprəʊlɒŋˈɡeɪʃən /

verb

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

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Related Words

See lengthen.

Other Word Forms

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

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; pro- ¹, long ¹

Example Sentences

Yet a seeming recovery in manufacturing after a prolonged slump faces fresh obstacles, the most notable being the conflict with Iran.

From MarketWatch

“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

The trauma of losing her house left her in a prolonged depression.

From Los Angeles Times

However, prolonged disruptions would amount to a meaningful supply shock, with cost pressures likely to show up first in producer prices before gradually filtering through to consumers, Liu added.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many companies see a moment to pounce on bigger deals that would normally face prolonged antitrust scrutiny.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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