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

Derived Forms

• proˈlongment, noun
• prolongation, noun
• proˈlonger, noun

Other Words From

• pro·long·a·ble adjective
• pro·long·a·ble·ness noun
• pro·long·a·bly adverb
• pro·long·er noun
• pro·long·ment noun
• un·pro·long·a·ble adjective

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

Paul said, as a family, it was "very disheartening" and "heartbreaking" that the current CF drugs available, which can prolong lives, were not going to help Cahir.

From BBC

These drugs help about 90% of people living with CF prolong and improve their life.

From BBC

"If Netanyahu doesn't use this moment and doesn't get up now to lay out a new Israeli initiative - even at the expense of ending the war - it means he has decided to abandon the hostages in an effort to prolong the war and fortify his rulership."

From BBC

Many Israelis believe that Netanyahu wants to prolong the war in Gaza to put off the day of reckoning for his share of the security failures that allowed Sinwar and his men to break into Israel, and to postpone perhaps indefinitely the resumption of his trial on serious corruption charges.

From BBC

“If you prolong purees and don’t introduce lumpy foods by 10 months, we have evidence that by 15 months and even 7 years, it influences food acceptance,” Greenberg said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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