prolonged
v. B2 Upper Intermediate US //pɹəˈɫɔŋd// UK //pɹəlˈɒŋd// pro·longed
v. lasting for a long time, especially longer than you expected or wanted.
v. continuing for an extended period; lengthened in time or duration. Often carries a negative connotation when referring to unpleasant situations like illness or conflict.
The meeting was prolonged by a long debate over the budget.
The patient required a prolonged stay in the hospital to recover from the surgery.
Economists warned that a prolonged period of high interest rates could stifle consumer spending and lead to a significant market correction.
Usage
Commonly used to modify nouns related to time, such as 'period', 'absence', or 'exposure'.