Synonyms of carrying on

carrying on

verb

present participle of carry on

1

as in acting out

to behave badly

a toddler crying and carrying on in the store

Synonyms & Similar Words

• acting out
• disobeying
• acting up
• running riot
• raising Cain
• misconducting
• rebelling
• misbehaving
• cutting up
• kidding (around)
• horsing around
• clowning (around)
• showing off
• fooling around
• roughhousing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obeying
• conducting
• acting
• bearing
• containing
• quitting
• moving
• complying
• handling
• conforming
• controlling
• checking
• collecting
• acquitting
• composing
• deporting
• inhibiting
• curbing
• restraining
• demeaning
• comporting
• constraining
• quieting
• repressing

2

as in persisting

to continue despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement

she bravely carried on despite the loss of her husband

Synonyms & Similar Words

• persisting
• hanging in there
• gutting it out
• persevering
• hanging on
• keeping up
• following through (with)
• digging in
• knuckling down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• giving up
• knocking off
• giving in
• submitting
• quitting
• yielding
• bowing
• surrendering
• hanging back
• succumbing
• wavering
• hesitating
• faltering
• vacillating
• wobbling
• shilly-shallying

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

• operating
• managing
• supervising
• overseeing
• handling
• controlling
• regulating
• conducting
• presiding (over)
• running
• watching over
• governing
• keeping
• administering
• directing
• guiding
• tending
• caring (for)
• protecting
• overlooking
• superintending
• administrating
• stewarding
• watching
• leading
• steering
• safeguarding
• guarding
• piloting
• minding
• codirecting
• comanaging
• micromanaging
• stage-managing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of carrying on

There’s been a lot of talk about carrying on her work, especially during these times when people feel like some of it has been eroded. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 7 Oct. 2026

In the tangled greenery of a Ugandan national park, mountain gorillas sit among the leaves, calmly carrying on as tourists trek into their forest home. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

The acquisition also puts Lewis in the somewhat unusual position of carrying on the businesses of two veteran New York printmakers who helped shape his career. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

The two sides are carrying on with development of multiple projects, with one of them said to be nearing a series order. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

The band is dedicated to carrying on the spirit of a live Rush concert. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Heitz Cellar’s current winemaker Brittany Sherwood is carrying on the tradition of stunning selections by using only organic and biodynamic Napa Valley grapes. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026

What began as a single title has since grown into more than 400 books and counting, with Mike Berenstain now carrying on the family legacy. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Established in 2022 with the support of Prine’s family and Oh Boy Records, the award celebrates the legacy of the late songwriter as seen through a living talent carrying on his work. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 24 Aug. 2026