prolonged

adjective

pro·​longed prə-ˈlȯŋd 

: 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

prə-ˈlȯŋ-əd-lē 

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

However, what may have been an appropriate temporary measure has now become a prolonged and unjustified restriction on public access. —Victor Edwards, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025

Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts are stressing Pando’s root system, reducing its ability to produce new shoots. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

In some cases, they may be linked to underlying autoimmune conditions, chronic infections, or prolonged exposure to stress. —Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025

The prolonged dryness, coupled with strong winds, means the risk of erratic fire behavior remains high. —Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined above