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    prolong

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    prolong
    pro‧long /prəˈlɒŋ $ -ˈlɒːŋ/ 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.
         
    THESAURUS
       ▪ prolong to make something last longer: The issue divided the country and prolonged the civil war. | Successful treatment is prolonging people's lives. | No one wants to prolong the violence. | 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. | 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 contracts and visas: They agreed to extend his contract by a year. | The offer has been extended for a further fourteen days. | 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. | Each side accused the other of dragging out the negotiations.