: continuing for a notably long time : extended in duration
a prolonged delay
a prolonged recession
a prolonged absence
a prolonged drought
And in today's competitive situation a prolonged strike can very easily lead to a serious loss of market share which is difficult, if not impossible, to recapture.—
David Reid
David ReidSometimes the only answer is a prolonged time away from the sport followed by a slow, steady reconditioning program along with physiotherapy of some type …—William J. Goldwag
William J. Goldwag
prolongedly
adverb
… and Andy demonstrates … the odd talent of coughing in his sleep, coughing prolongedly without waking himself.
—John Updike
John Updike
Examples of prolonged in a Sentence
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However, Hernández’s prolonged offensive slump to start the season lasted long enough that, earlier this homestand, Roberts dropped him to the eighth spot in the order.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 15 May 2026
That projection of strength may be surprising given the very real challenges China faces, including an economy struggling from a prolonged property crisis, weak consumer demand, and entrenched deflation.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 May 2026
But some outbreaks, such as the current cruise ship conflagration, suggest the virus may not require such prolonged close contact to spread in some cases.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
Ocean temperatures around the world have been rising for decades; however, 2023–2024 saw unusual, prolonged and record-breaking increases in global sea surface temperatures, USA TODAY previously reported.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 May 2026
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Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 15 May 2026
That projection of strength may be surprising given the very real challenges China faces, including an economy struggling from a prolonged property crisis, weak consumer demand, and entrenched deflation.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 May 2026
But some outbreaks, such as the current cruise ship conflagration, suggest the virus may not require such prolonged close contact to spread in some cases.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 May 2026
Ocean temperatures around the world have been rising for decades; however, 2023–2024 saw unusual, prolonged and record-breaking increases in global sea surface temperatures, USA TODAY previously reported.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prolonged
Cite this Entry
“Prolonged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prolonged. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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