pro ‧ long /prəˈlɒŋ $ -ˈlɒːŋ/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: prolonguer , from Late Latin prolongare , from Latin longus 'long' ]
1 . to deliberately make something such as a feeling or an activity last longer SYN lengthen :
I was trying to think of some way to prolong the conversation.
2 . prolong the agony informal to make an unpleasant or anxious time last longer, especially when people are waiting for news:
There’s no point in prolonging the agony any longer.
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THESAURUS
▪ prolong to make something last longer:
The issue divided the country and prolonged the civil war.
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Successful treatment is prolonging people's lives.
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No one wants to prolong the violence.
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This would only prolong the unhappiness she felt.
▪ lengthen to make something last longer than the usual time:
They suggested lengthening the training period for new teachers.
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New security measures have lengthened the time passengers spend in airports.
▪ extend to make something that is coming to an end continue for a longer period of time – used especially about official arrangements such as ↑ contract s and ↑ visa s :
They agreed to extend his contract by a year.
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The offer has been extended for a further fourteen days.
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I applied to extend my visa.
▪ drag something out to make a situation or event last longer than necessary:
I wish they'd make a decision and not keep dragging it out.
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Each side accused the other of dragging out the negotiations.