Synonyms of carry-on

carry-on 1 of 2

noun

ˈker-ē-ˌȯn 

as in suitcase

a bag carried by hand and designed to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles

the airline allows two carry-ons per person

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suitcase
• wallet
• backpack
• bags
• luggage
• handbag
• carryall
• briefcase
• holdall
• portmanteau
• traveling bag
• grip
• baggage
• kit
• knapsack
• rucksack
• overnight bag
• duffel bag
• carpetbag
• attaché
• valise
• haversack
• kit bag
• weekender
• packsack
• attaché case
• weekend bag
• traveling case
• cosmetic case

carry on

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to act out

to behave badly

a toddler crying and carrying on in the store

Synonyms & Similar Words

• act out
• misconduct
• disobey
• run riot
• raise Cain
• rebel
• act up
• misbehave
• cut up
• horse around
• kid (around)
• show off
• fool around
• clown (around)
• roughhouse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obey
• act
• conduct
• bear
• quit
• move
• comply
• conform
• contain
• control
• handle
• check
• collect
• acquit
• compose
• comport
• curb
• restrain
• inhibit
• deport
• demean
• quiet
• repress
• constrain

2

as in to persist

to continue despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement

she bravely carried on despite the loss of her husband

Synonyms & Similar Words

• persist
• hang in there
• persevere
• gut it out
• hang on
• keep up
• follow through (with)
• dig in
• knuckle down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• give up
• quit
• submit
• knock off
• give in
• yield
• bow
• surrender
• succumb
• hang back
• hesitate
• falter
• waver
• vacillate
• wobble
• shilly-shally

3

as in to operate

to look after and make decisions about

carries on a business and still manages to run the household

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operate
• manage
• supervise
• oversee
• handle
• control
• run
• regulate
• conduct
• govern
• keep
• preside (over)
• watch over
• tend
• direct
• guide
• administer
• protect
• overlook
• care (for)
• administrate
• steward
• superintend
• steer
• watch
• lead
• safeguard
• pilot
• guard
• mind
• codirect
• comanage
• micromanage
• stage-manage

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of carry-on

Noun

Don’t embark on your next vacation without first packing this baby into the carry-on. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

Whether that means keeping your favorite lip gloss on-hand for a touch-up in the car or stashing your favorite jeans into your carry-on for back-up, choose a travel capsule wardrobe that covers every possible activity. — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 13 July 2026

Verb

If she is replaced, her successor will likely carry on Nandy’s work on the merger. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 July 2026

Harry ultimately carried on with the trip alone, while Meghan, Archie and Lilibet traveled to Britain from Portugal, where the family was vacationing, on July 9. — Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026