prolonged

adjective

pro·​longed prə-ˈlȯŋd How to pronounce prolonged (audio)
: continuing for a notably long time : extended in duration
a prolonged delay
a prolonged recession
a prolonged absence
a prolonged drought
And in today's competitive situation a prolonged strike can very easily lead to a serious loss of market share which is difficult, if not impossible, to recapture.David Reid
Sometimes the only answer is a prolonged time away from the sport followed by a slow, steady reconditioning program along with physiotherapy of some type …William J. Goldwag
prolongedly adverb
… and Andy demonstrates … the odd talent of coughing in his sleep, coughing prolongedly without waking himself. John Updike

Examples of prolonged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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At the same time, prolonged drought and rising temperatures have sapped river flows and decreased the amount of water percolating underground and recharging aquifers. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025 Since April 11, 2025, UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) has undergone a prolonged and concerning decrease, culminating in a sharp 5.71% drop on May 21, finishing at $302.98. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025 The admission upended Darin’s world and sparked a prolonged period of soul searching. Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 22 May 2025 Wet socks can lead to discomfort and blisters due to prolonged exposure to moisture. Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for prolonged

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prolonged was circa 1525

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Cite this Entry

“Prolonged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prolonged. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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