as in extension
the act of making longer
his habitual prolonging of any task so that it fills up an entire afternoon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in lengthening
to make longer
would like to prolong our vacation by any means possible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prolonging
Paul Webster Hare, The Conversation, 19 Jan. 2026
The prolonging of the war has also ratcheted up Israel’s isolation on the world stage.
—New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Peace talks have stalled ahead of the war’s two-month mark, prolonging oil disruptions and stoking higher gas prices around the world.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
More papules emerge as blisters burst, prolonging the torment.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Most observers believe no Democrat will win a majority in the rapidly approaching May 19 primary, prolonging the party's uncertainty.
—CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Much to the anguish and upset of their adult children, Kevin and Joy, Mavis and Dennis Eccleston decided to end their lives together when 81-year-old Dennis received a terminal cancer diagnosis and declined treatment to avoid prolonging his suffering.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
When bail is granted, ICE appeals, prolonging detention for 90 more days.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
Looking ahead, Trump’s prolonging of Chavismo is a political gamble in Florida – a state where many Latin Republican voters despise the system and any dealing with socialist governments.
—Paul Webster Hare, The Conversation, 19 Jan. 2026
The prolonging of the war has also ratcheted up Israel’s isolation on the world stage.
—New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
These dynamic risks are prolonging inflation and complicating the path for central banks, which may need to keep interest rates higher for longer to contain price pressures.
—USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Peace talks have stalled ahead of the war’s two-month mark, prolonging oil disruptions and stoking higher gas prices around the world.
—Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
More papules emerge as blisters burst, prolonging the torment.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
But eventually, Paramount offered more money and Netflix abruptly bowed out of the race rather than prolonging the fight.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Most observers believe no Democrat will win a majority in the rapidly approaching May 19 primary, prolonging the party's uncertainty.
—CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Much to the anguish and upset of their adult children, Kevin and Joy, Mavis and Dennis Eccleston decided to end their lives together when 81-year-old Dennis received a terminal cancer diagnosis and declined treatment to avoid prolonging his suffering.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
When bail is granted, ICE appeals, prolonging detention for 90 more days.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonging
Noun
-
Trump could also give himself a 30-day extension to continue operations.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This extension of Josh's sentence comes at the same time that his fourth, and final, appeal of his 2021 conviction is working its way through the courts.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The same instinct shows up in the lifestyle creator influencer accent, characterized by uptalk and the lengthening and extra stressing on words.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Along with leg-lengthening jeans and walkable but cute footwear, one of the easiest items to add into your spring rotation is a basic button-up shirt.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The prolongation was 242 days in 2023 and 346 days in 2024, according to the report.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The plan, conveyed through mediators in Pakistan to break a stalemate with Washington, calls for extending the ceasefire so the parties can work toward a permanent end to the fighting, Axios said.—
Jon Herskovitz,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
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Vargas then homered to left field, extending the lead to 8-5.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Day sessions usually include something energizing like yoga or mat Pilates, while evenings offer stretching and meditation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Apr. 2026
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Actor and producer Vidyut Jammwal will play the noble — and limb-stretching — Dhalsim in the upcoming Street Fighter adaptation.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These organizations, striving to fill the information gap created by the state government’s increasing drift toward secrecy — can’t rely on taxpayers to pay their bills.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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These changes were to be achieved by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, decreasing the consumption of meat and eggs, and substituting nonfat milk for whole milk.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prolonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonging. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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