1
as in acting out
to behave badly
a toddler crying and carrying on in the store
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in persisting
to continue despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement
she bravely carried on despite the loss of her husband
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in operating
to look after and make decisions about
carries on a business and still manages to run the household
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of carrying on
The ground beneath your feet may be carrying on a kind of conversation.
—
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Marcos Acosta might seem like an unlikely character to be carrying on the two-century-long tradition of Western American art in Colorado.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
For now, retailers who sell kratom products are simply carrying on until they’re investigated by county health inspectors.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The remainder of the trailer flicks at these while carrying on with her suggestion that Erika is up to no good.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
What’s it like seeing the new class of artists from your home state carrying on the legacy?
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2026
He was caught using a crude slur for Jews, and carrying on an extramarital affair that produced an out-of-wedlock child.
—Mark Whitaker, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Each year, the world's top tennis players descend on the US for the Sunshine Double—BNP in California followed by the Miami Open—those who were cut quickly from the former often stop in for some rallies in Arizona before carrying on to Florida.
—David Shaftel, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
Over the weekend, business leaders offered a mix of responses after federal agents shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, revealing yet again how one of America’s most powerful cohorts is — publicly, at least — carrying on with business as usual.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
Marcos Acosta might seem like an unlikely character to be carrying on the two-century-long tradition of Western American art in Colorado.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
For now, retailers who sell kratom products are simply carrying on until they’re investigated by county health inspectors.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The remainder of the trailer flicks at these while carrying on with her suggestion that Erika is up to no good.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026
What’s it like seeing the new class of artists from your home state carrying on the legacy?
—Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2026
He was caught using a crude slur for Jews, and carrying on an extramarital affair that produced an out-of-wedlock child.
—Mark Whitaker, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Each year, the world's top tennis players descend on the US for the Sunshine Double—BNP in California followed by the Miami Open—those who were cut quickly from the former often stop in for some rallies in Arizona before carrying on to Florida.
—David Shaftel, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
Over the weekend, business leaders offered a mix of responses after federal agents shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, revealing yet again how one of America’s most powerful cohorts is — publicly, at least — carrying on with business as usual.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carrying on
Verb
-
Mia is really acting out her character and has butt pads so lumpy that Michelle Visage got up off her couch to come over to the Hamptons to yell at her.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Reports from those calls reveal a spectrum of youth behaviors, from hallway bullying to acting out because of problems at home.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The alert noted that lead contamination can sometimes cause persisting issues for these groups.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Analysts at major investment banks now forecast a structural undersupply regime persisting through 2027, with prices potentially testing $120–$130 in a worst-case scenario involving further escalation or Saudi retaliation.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The 2025 language about under-performing degree programs, which said that degree programs that don't meet enrollment quotas must get permission from the Commission to continue operating, was added to the state budget the day before the legislative session concluded.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
1 Apr. 2026
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Rarely has a president been surrounded by such an array of toadies and lickspittles, operating beyond their competence in an atmosphere of organizational chaos.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
South Windsor police have charged Rodriguez with evading responsibility, disobeying the signal of an officer, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit and improper use of a marker, license or registration.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Michael Schade, who works in the department’s traffic division, said most e-bike accidents were caused by riders disobeying basic traffic rules, like running red lights and not stopping at stop signs.—
Alissa Gary,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cooking, handling special requests and managing busy environments still depend on people.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Wait times listed on the MyTSA mobile app may not be accurate because TSA isn’t actively managing its sites during the shutdown.—
John Raby,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The black flies are not the only troublesome creature acting up during the unseasonably warm weather.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Intel’s representative explained that the Intel team has pushed this to extremes in testing—their vPro team even challenged each other, successfully, to try to access a troubled machine that was acting up on a flight, over airplane Wi-Fi!—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Athletic coaches, people responding to emergencies, people supervising inmates, custodians, and people helping children who need bathroom assistance get a pass.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
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The transit operator has been accused in the past of not properly supervising contract security personnel who occasionally used excessive force.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He was recently confirmed as the assistant attorney general overseeing the new division at the department focused on prosecuting fraud.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The judge, Honorable Michael McNally of Michigan’s 33rd District Court, posed the question while overseeing a case on Wednesday, March 25.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Carrying on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carrying%20on. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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