PROLONG Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

prolong

verb

prə-ˈlȯŋ

Definition of prolong next

as in to lengthen

to make longer would like to prolong our vacation by any means possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb prolong contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prolong are extend, lengthen, and protract. While all these words mean "to draw out or add to so as to increase in length," prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits.

prolonged illness

How do extend and lengthen relate to one another, in the sense of prolong?

Both extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range.

extend a vacation

extend welfare services

lengthen a skirt

lengthen the workweek

How are the words protract and prolong related?

Protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness.

protracted litigation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of prolong Fewer than half of those approved since 2000 have been shown to prolong people’s lives. —

Bloomberg, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026 Offensively, Adebayo mustered just six points on 3 for 10 shooting, prolonging one of his worst offensive slumps in memory. —

Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2026 The angst has boiled over into a serious of corporate clashes, from Fubo’s protest of Venu Sports to Disney and YouTube TV’s prolonged 2025 carriage battle to the ongoing Sling-Disney dispute. —

Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 12 Jan. 2026 And to add even more work, some folks will separate their laundry by linen type or color to prolong their clothes or other items. —

Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prolong

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolong

Verb

The strands just brush her brows in the center and gradually lengthen towards the sides to blend in with the rest of her hair.

— María Munsuri, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
The Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) sets rules for how defendants can use classified evidence in court and can lengthen the pretrial process.

— Joe Hernandez, NPR, 6 Jan. 2026