prolonging 1 of 2

as in extension
the act of making longer his habitual prolonging of any task so that it fills up an entire afternoon

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prolonging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of prolong

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prolonging
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
Trump initially promised to end it in weeks, and Democrats, including Newsom, have criticized him for prolonging the conflict. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 Milk contains protein and carbohydrates, which slow digestion, prolonging the presence of water in the body. — Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026 Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said foreign powers are central to prolonging the war. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Washing your robe is important from both a hygiene standpoint, as well as for prolonging its lifespan. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026 As American leaders increasingly seek short, decisive military operations, the United States may increasingly confront adversaries that see advantages in prolonging conflicts. — Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026 More than 5,000 migrants have remained in Ceuta, prolonging a humanitarian crisis that has become a political liability for Sánchez in Spain and beyond. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 But El Niño amplifies the flames by prolonging dry conditions, lowering water levels in the peatland and turning plants into tinder. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 Thirty-six of Brown’s 101 pitches were sinkers, prolonging a seismic shift for a pitcher known for a menacing four-seam fastball. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prolonging
Noun
  • Some of those projects include new sidewalk and crosswalk installations, citywide traffic-calming measures and sidewalk extensions.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Over time, large-scale replication and extension studies of the marshmallow test with more diverse socioeconomic and racial samples found more nuanced findings.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Both could go a long way in lengthening the Yankees’ postseason lineup; the righty-swinging Lombard, in particular, provides some needed balance.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • These movements take joints through active ranges of motion, lengthening and engaging muscles to support and control movement.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Also, ibogaine’s prolongation of the heart’s QT intervals carries a real risk of fatal arrhythmia.
    — Michelle Lhooq, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The prolongation was 242 days in 2023 and 346 days in 2024, according to the report.
    — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The Abercrombie Kids’ Baby & Toddler Collection adds newborn through 5T sizing after shoppers asked for smaller sizes, extending the brand into another stage of its customers’ lives.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The chain’s restaurants were leased back to it under a 25-year master lease, which included 2% annual escalators, extending until the early 2040s, according to the initial deal terms.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There’s also a 24-hour gym, a light and airy place with multiple cardio machines, weight training equipment, and floor space for yoga, stretching, or floor exercises (and enough room to do so without impeding on anyone else’s space).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Then the team broke for stretching, and the coach went down the line asking how everyone felt.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • By merging the two failing car companies, Marchionne created the seventh-largest vehicle manufacturer in the world, increasing Fiat’s value more than tenfold.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The company has been gradually increasing its use of AI across back office and customer-facing roles and has introduced an AI chatbot to its website to help customers plan their trips.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Prolonging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prolonging. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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