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

Hotter nights can prolong the stress that heat places on the human body by depriving people of a chance to recover, increasing the risk of heat-related illness.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 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 US sources confirmed reporting by Axios that the two sides had agreed on a memorandum of understanding to prolong the ceasefire and launch negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme.

From Barron's ● May 28, 2026

“If we donate woolens now, we help prolong it.”

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

Polling by Abacus Data shows nearly 70% of Canadians want Ottawa to hold firm in negotiations, even if it prolongs economic pain.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 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

Though the effect was strong, platelet factor 4 won't be a silver bullet that reverses the aging of all tissues and prolongs the lifespan of elderly human patients alone, Pinho said.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 31, 2025

This little bit of food he’s able to bring to her prolongs her life just a little more, keeping her with us just a little longer.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung

Kaneva and her team with threats now for to two major waterways in the Gulf, markets are clearly viewing a prolonged stalemate as unlikely.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

The rest of Wales, along with much of central, southern and eastern England, is in "prolonged dry weather" category - one stage below a drought.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

Faced with prolonged tariff uncertainty, Academy Sports & Outdoors chose to cash in.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

Several French departments have recently been ravaged by wildfires during a series of unusual and prolonged heatwaves that have swept across Europe this summer.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

“You sweet, stubborn satyrs refused to accept my passing. And I love you for that, but you only delayed the inevitable. You only prolonged my long, painful passing, my dark twilight sleep. It must end.”

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan

Burns specialists said the injuries caused by heated squishy toys can be particularly severe because the gel inside can remain extremely hot and get stuck to the skin, prolonging the burn.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 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

For one thing, a generous tax break for buying electric vehicles expired last fall, prolonging a slump in sales of nonfuel cars.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 4, 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

Nothing in my body wants to make that visit, but prolonging it will only be worse.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

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