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Glite Dictionary
to prolong

to prolong

76 3.9
To make something last longer
  • verb
  • /prəˈlɔŋ/
: prolongar
  • Long delays for court docket time prolong the agony for parents and children.
  • prolong life
  • prolong treatment
  • prolonged exposure

So I knew, I knew by flight it would just prolong my suffering.

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Examples

  • To keep the party going, we decided to prolong the celebration by ordering more food.

  • And in those circumstances, it's not the job of the doctor to prolong life by any means.

    Dr Hope's Sick Notes

  • I might prolong his life, yes.

    Phenomenon (1996)

  • It's really bad at treating those things and therefore all it really does is prolong the period of time you have those things.

  • But the light is cruel, and I do not care to prolong our conversation.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • That's how they find out about diseases and help prolong life for other people.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Plant processes and operations are carefully engineered to prolong the life of piping and equipment.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The new treatments aim to prolong the lives of patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses.

  • He chose to prolong his stay at the beach to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Synonyms

to extend
vsto prolong
520 3.2

To make something reach farther, such as more places or people

is limited to increasing time rather than area or influence
to sustain
vsto prolong
124 4.0

To keep something going for a long time

lengthens duration rather than focusing on steady maintenance
to continue
vsto prolong
84 1.1

To last over a distance or time

means increasing total duration rather than simply carrying on
to lengthen
vsto prolong
30 2.4

Make something longer in size, distance, or time

focuses on increasing time specifically rather than physical length
to draw out
vsto prolong
21 4.0

Make a conversation or event last longer than usual

refers to adding time without the usual negative sense
to spin-out
vsto prolong
  • Informal
3 6.7

To make something last longer by making it finish later

describes lengthening duration neutrally rather than by deliberate delay
to protract
vsto prolong
2 7.8

To make something last longer than it needs to

means to increase duration without suggesting it is excessive

Antonyms

to shorten
65 2.3

Make something shorter, for example an article, skirt, or route

How Long

to drag out
  • Informal
40 5.1
to protract
2 7.8
to prolong
76 3.9
to extend
520 3.2
to lengthen
30 2.4

Surface Forms

prolong infinitive
prolonged past
prolonged past participle
prolonging present participle
prolongs third person singular

Morphology

prolong = long (semi-transparent) = pro + long

The connection to 'long' is fairly clear, but 'pro-' does not function as a productive modern English prefix meaning 'make longer' for most learners.

Etymology

The word prolong comes from Latin parts pro- 'forward' and longus 'long', and you can see the same 'long' in the English word long. So, to prolong something is like pushing it forward in time to make it last longer.