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
Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Minoxidil works by prolonging the anagen phase, allowing hair to grow longer and fuller before eventually transitioning into the rest period.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Minoxidil works by prolonging the anagen phase, allowing hair to grow longer and fuller before transitioning into the rest period.
—Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The concern is that occupying the island with US troops would result in high casualties, likely triggering Iranian retaliation against gulf countries’ infrastructure and prolonging the conflict, the senior gulf official said.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
The latest escalation has raised fears among corporate executives that the conflict will drag on for months, prolonging uncertainty for the global economy.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
But the district appealed that decision just days before the school year began, prolonging what has now become a years-long legal battle.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Attacks on oil infrastructure risk extending the fuel shortage and prolonging a potential bout of inflation, which would strain household budgets and shrink economic output, some analysts said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
The government shutdown has lasted over a month, and a Senate vote on Thursday could end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown that is prolonging several TSA lines.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 19 Mar. 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
The disagreement has left the two chambers at an impasse, with neither proposal able to pass both the House and Senate, prolonging the funding lapse and its effects on airport security staffing and operations.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Minoxidil works by prolonging the anagen phase, allowing hair to grow longer and fuller before eventually transitioning into the rest period.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Minoxidil works by prolonging the anagen phase, allowing hair to grow longer and fuller before transitioning into the rest period.
—Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The concern is that occupying the island with US troops would result in high casualties, likely triggering Iranian retaliation against gulf countries’ infrastructure and prolonging the conflict, the senior gulf official said.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
The latest escalation has raised fears among corporate executives that the conflict will drag on for months, prolonging uncertainty for the global economy.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
But the district appealed that decision just days before the school year began, prolonging what has now become a years-long legal battle.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Attacks on oil infrastructure risk extending the fuel shortage and prolonging a potential bout of inflation, which would strain household budgets and shrink economic output, some analysts said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
The government shutdown has lasted over a month, and a Senate vote on Thursday could end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown that is prolonging several TSA lines.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonging
Noun
-
Despite this, the council voted unanimously to approve a contract extension with the company.—
Carmela Karcher,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
And Lurie’s decision not to comment on another Hurts contract does not preclude another extension at some point.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Detention stays are lengthening in part because of the administration's decision last summer to restrict bond hearings in immigration court.—
Martin Kaste,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Trouble is, the Legislature has had no trouble finding excuses to enact and renew an ever-lengthening list of exemptions.—
Martin Dyckman,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 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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Congress anticipated those rising costs and debated extending the enhanced premium tax credits toward the end of last year.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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San Antonio had six players score in double figures while extending its lead to 29 points in the third quarter.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Then get here a little early, jumps on the BOSU ball, stretching, taping, and trying to stay warm as long as possible.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
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Just five minutes of mindful movement, like gentle stretching or a quick yoga flow, can help lower stress hormones and support your body’s natural anti-inflammatory defenses.—
Lauren Manaker,
SELF,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The film is set in a mountain village where an elderly woman named Hettie (Hettie Farmer) lives alone on a small farm, tending her flock of goats with increasing difficulty.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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New York City Councilwoman Farah Louis is under increasing scrutiny amid a federal public corruption investigation involving the state’s homeless shelters for migrants.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prolonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonging. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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