to prolong

Examples

• All

• 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

E

to extend

vsto prolong

680 3.2

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

is limited to increasing time rather than area or influence

C

to continue

vsto prolong

227 1.1

To last over a distance or time

means increasing total duration rather than simply carrying on

S

to sustain

vsto prolong

102 4.0

To keep something going for a long time

lengthens duration rather than focusing on steady maintenance

L

to lengthen

vsto prolong

34 2.4

Make something longer in size, distance, or time

focuses on increasing time specifically rather than physical length

D

to draw out

vsto prolong

9 4.0

Make a conversation or event last longer than usual

refers to adding time without the usual negative sense

P

to protract

vsto prolong

4 7.8

To make something last longer than it needs to

means to increase duration without suggesting it is excessive

S

to spin-out

vsto prolong

• Informal

6.7

To make something last longer by making it finish later

describes lengthening duration neutrally rather than by deliberate delay

Antonyms

S

to shorten

45 2.3

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

How Long

to drag out

• Informal

23 5.1

to protract

4 7.8

to prolong

96 3.9

to extend

680 3.2

to lengthen

34 2.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology