EN

Synonyms for prolong

17 synonyms
3 antonyms
2 meanings

verb

Most common

lengthen extend draw out continue sustain keep up

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

1. Lengthen

lengthen, extend, draw out, continue, increase, delay, procrastinate, protract, defer, spin out, elongate, spin, postpone, produce dated

2. Sustain

sustain, keep up

Other

Antonyms

abbreviate, suspend, curtail

All antonyms of prolong →

Definitions

v. 1
To extend in space or length.
v. 2
To lengthen in time; to extend the duration of.
Complaining prolongs one’s pain.

Related words

Word family: prolongate prolongation prolongment

Forms

Past participle: prolonged
e.g. prolonged → lengthened, extended, continued, increased…

Example sentences

continue We have to continue doing this until it gets done.
increase It cannot be denied that crime is on the increase.
extend I want to extend my stay here for a few more days.
lengthen The coat is a bit too short. Can you lengthen it?

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
prolong		steady
continue		steady
increase		falling
extend		falling
lengthen		steady
prolongate		steady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters: spin¹
5 letters: delay², defer²
6 letters: extend²
7 letters: produce², sustain²
8 letters: continue³, increase², postpone², lengthen², elongate³, protract²
10 letters: prolongate
13 letters: procrastinate⁴

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (delay² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français: prolonger
Español: prolongar