Delay vs. Prolong — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 9, 2024
A delay involves starting or completing something later than expected, while prolong means to extend the duration of something beyond its usual or expected time.
Difference Between Delay and Prolong
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A delay refers to a setback where an action is postponed or takes longer to initiate, often due to unforeseen circumstances or external factors. Prolong, on the other hand, is a deliberate action to extend a process, event, or situation beyond its expected time.
Delays are often caused by unexpected interruptions, like traffic jams or technical malfunctions. Prolonging, however, usually stems from a decision to lengthen something intentionally, such as extending a vacation or keeping a conversation going.
In timing, a delay usually shifts a start or completion time forward, meaning something happens later than planned. In contrast, prolong extends the end time of an ongoing activity, thus stretching its duration.
A delay generally implies inconvenience or a disruption in a schedule, whereas prolong can carry positive, negative, or neutral connotations, depending on the context, like prolonging a meeting or enjoyment of a book.
Delays are often seen as unintentional and adverse, while prolonging is usually intentional. Delays impact planned schedules, while prolonging influences the ongoing experience.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Postponing the start or end of an event
Extending the duration of an event
Intent
Unintentional
Intentional
Impact
Causes inconvenience
Can have positive or negative outcomes
Timing
Shifts a start or end time forward
Extends an activity's duration
Common Usage
"Flight delay"
"Prolong the discussion"
Compare with Definitions
Delay
An act of pausing or holding back.
The delay in launching the project created logistical issues.
Prolong
To stretch out in terms of time.
The organization prolonged the application deadline.
Delay
To postpone or slow down.
The storm caused a delay in the train schedule.
Prolong
To extend the duration of something.
They tried to prolong their stay at the beach.
Delay
A period of waiting due to a setback.
Construction faced several delays due to supply shortages.
Prolong
To make something last longer than usual.
The doctor gave them medicine to prolong their lives.
Delay
To defer to a later time.
They decided to delay the meeting until next week.
Prolong
To delay the end of a particular situation.
Efforts to prolong peace negotiations were successful.
Delay
An instance of being later than expected.
There was a significant delay in receiving my package.
Prolong
To continue a state or event for a more extended period.
She wanted to prolong the conversation to learn more.
Delay
Make (someone or something) late or slow
The train was delayed
Prolong
Extend the duration of
An idea which prolonged the life of the engine by many years
Delay
A period of time by which something is late or postponed
A two-hour delay
Long delays in obtaining passports
Prolong
To lengthen in duration; protract
Factors that prolong the drug's effect.
Delay
To postpone until a later time; defer.
Prolong
(transitive) To extend in space or length.
Delay
To cause to be later or slower than expected or desired
Heavy traffic delayed us.
Prolong
(transitive) To lengthen in time; to extend the duration of
Complaining prolongs one’s pain.
Delay
To act or move slowly; put off an action or a decision.
Prolong
(transitive) To put off to a distant time; to postpone.
The government shouldn't prolong deciding on this issue any further.
Delay
The act of delaying; postponement
Responded without delay.
Prolong
(intransitive) To become longer; lengthen.
Delay
The condition of being delayed; detainment.
Prolong
To extend in space or length; as, to prolong a line.
Delay
The period of time during which one is delayed.
Prolong
To lengthen in time; to extend the duration of; to draw out; to continue; as, to prolong one's days.
Prolong awhile the traitor's life.
The unhappy queen with talk prolonged the night.
Delay
The interval of time between two events.
Prolong
To put off to a distant time; to postpone.
Delay
A period of time before an event occurs; the act of delaying; procrastination; lingering inactivity.
The delay before the echo of a sound
Prolong
Lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer;
We prolonged our stay
She extended her visit by another day
The meeting was drawn out until midnight
Delay
(music) An audio effects unit that introduces a controlled delay.
Prolong
Lengthen or extend in duration or space;
We sustained the diplomatic negociations as long as possible
Prolong the treatment of the patient
Keep up the good work
Delay
Synonym of promise
Delay
(chess) An amount of time provided on each move before one's clock starts to tick; a less common time control than increment.
Delay
(ambitransitive) To put off until a later time; to defer.
Delay
To retard; to stop, detain, or hinder, for a time.
The mail is delayed by a heavy fall of snow.
Delay
To allay; to temper.
Delay
(obsolete) To dilute, temper.
Delay
(obsolete) To assuage, quench, allay.
Delay
A putting off or deferring; procrastination; lingering inactivity; stop; detention; hindrance.
Without any delay, on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat.
The government ought to be settled without the delay of a day.
Delay
To put off; to defer; to procrastinate; to prolong the time of or before.
My lord delayeth his coming.
Delay
To retard; to stop, detain, or hinder, for a time; to retard the motion, or time of arrival, of; as, the mail is delayed by a heavy fall of snow.
Thyrsis! whose artful strains have oft delayedThe huddling brook to hear his madrigal.
Delay
To allay; to temper.
The watery showers delay the raging wind.
Delay
To move slowly; to stop for a time; to linger; to tarry.
There seem to be certain bounds to the quickness and slowness of the succession of those ideas, . . . beyond which they can neither delay nor hasten.
Delay
Time during which some action is awaited;
Instant replay caused too long a delay
He ordered a hold in the action
Delay
The act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time
Delay
Cause to be slowed down or delayed;
Traffic was delayed by the bad weather
She delayed the work that she didn't want to perform
Delay
Act later than planned, scheduled, or required;
Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered
Delay
Stop or halt;
Please stay the bloodshed!
Delay
Slow the growth or development of;
The brain damage will retard the child's language development
Common Curiosities
How do delays affect planning?
Delays often disrupt planned schedules, causing shifts in timing.
Can prolonging be negative?
Yes, especially when it extends an unfavorable situation.
Is prolonging something always planned?
Generally, it's intentional to extend or lengthen a situation.
How does a delay differ from an interruption?
A delay pushes the start or end of an activity forward, while an interruption pauses or temporarily stops it.
Is a delay considered a form of postponement?
Yes, delays are a type of postponement, as they involve a later start or completion time than initially expected.
Are delays longer than prolonging?
Not necessarily; delays vary in length and are often shorter than prolonging.
Do delays and prolonging affect productivity differently?
Delays usually hinder productivity due to unplanned setbacks, while prolonging can improve or decrease productivity based on context.
Are delays always unintentional?
Not always; deliberate delays can occur, but they're often unintended.
Can prolonging have positive connotations?
Yes, prolonging can be positive when it extends enjoyable activities, like vacations or celebrations.
Can prolonging lead to unintended consequences?
Yes, prolonging can have unintended consequences, such as prolonging a decision-making process causing delays in project completion.
Does a delay always involve an immediate start afterward?
No, sometimes delays can be indefinite or lead to further postponements.
What's the difference between delay and postpone?
A delay is typically unintentional and often unexpected, while postponing is a planned decision to move an event or action to a later time.
Can one intentionally delay something for strategic purposes?
Yes, strategic delays may occur to gain an advantage or allow time for preparation.
Are delays typically avoidable?
Not always; many delays result from uncontrollable circumstances, like weather or technical issues.
Is it possible to prolong activities without affecting quality?
It depends on the activity; some tasks can be prolonged without quality issues, while others may see diminishing returns.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
