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
New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
Heat also can raise evaporation rates, further stressing vegetation and prolonging dry conditions, especially when winds increase.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 6 Feb. 2026
In the end, Johnson relied on a combination of White House pressure, late-night negotiations and a reluctant coalition of Republicans and Democrats who agreed that prolonging the shutdown would inflict unnecessary harm on federal workers and the broader economy.
—Nik Popli, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Alongside this, Waight Keller argues that care is also key in prolonging a product’s lifespan.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 29 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 hardy parasite is also highly attuned to threats and responds with formidable defense mechanisms — prolonging a treatment process that’s already months to years long and often fraught with other hurdles and pain.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Yet once again, the results came back benign, prolonging the uncertainty and fear.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Lawson Luckie for 17 yards, prolonging a drive that ended in a 37-yard field goal by Peyton Woodring.
—CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
Noun
The prolonging of the war has also ratcheted up Israel’s isolation on the world stage.
—New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
The current deal framework would cede sovereignty but lease the Diego Garcia base for 99 years, ban other nations from utilizing nearby islands without British consent, and open the door to negotiations prolonging the arrangement in 40-year intervals.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
Heat also can raise evaporation rates, further stressing vegetation and prolonging dry conditions, especially when winds increase.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 6 Feb. 2026
In the end, Johnson relied on a combination of White House pressure, late-night negotiations and a reluctant coalition of Republicans and Democrats who agreed that prolonging the shutdown would inflict unnecessary harm on federal workers and the broader economy.
—Nik Popli, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Alongside this, Waight Keller argues that care is also key in prolonging a product’s lifespan.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 29 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 hardy parasite is also highly attuned to threats and responds with formidable defense mechanisms — prolonging a treatment process that’s already months to years long and often fraught with other hurdles and pain.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Yet once again, the results came back benign, prolonging the uncertainty and fear.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Lawson Luckie for 17 yards, prolonging a drive that ended in a 37-yard field goal by Peyton Woodring.
—CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonging
Noun
-
The study didn’t determine whether any particular amount of chemical exposure from the hair extensions was above legal standards or would necessarily cause health issues in people, however.—
Aude Konan,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Sign Pickens to an extension The quickest final conclusion that could possibly happen is the team simply signing him to a long-term extension before March 11.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Why People Love It During its prime trending era in the 1950s, as well as into modern times, boatneck shirts are most known for being flattering on your form—skimming across your collarbones in a lengthening, elegant way.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Spanx AirEssentials Wide-leg Pant These mid-rise, wide-leg pants offer a relaxed fit that creates a leg-lengthening effect.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Democrats in Congress are also demanding that immigration agents stop wearing masks as a condition for extending Department of Homeland Security funding.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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Back then, the district would hire teachers in the first semester and wait to see how students moved around before extending their contracts to a full year.—
Carley Lanich,
IndyStar,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Regular stretching can reduce muscle tension, improve posture, and help prevent discomfort, stiffness, and potential injuries over time.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
4 Feb. 2026
-
There’re proper stretching routines.—
Patrick McEnroe,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now, decoupling supply chains are driving manufacturing growth in the West once more, electric vehicles and home heat pumps need to be plugged in, and the makers of AI’s large language models have ever-increasing power needs.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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The move marks a broader trend from the brand, which has been increasing its visibility to new markets through the world of sports, and, at the moment, none is hotter than that of F1.—
Blake Buettner,
Robb Report,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prolonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonging. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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