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

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

Carnegie Deli continues today under the leadership of the brand’s CEO and third-generation owner Sarri Harper, who’s carrying on her grandfather Milton Parker’s legacy. — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026

Not just within your four walls or your own locations, but how much inventory is someone else carrying on your behalf? — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Twain and Marie-Anne became close friends, and Twain was shocked to learn that Marie-Anne and Lange had been allegedly carrying on an extramarital affair—losing both her husband and her best friend in one fell swoop. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 July 2026

The city wasn't in any immediate danger, and business was carrying on like usual, Letz said. — ABC News, 25 July 2026

There are multiple people, all around the lounge, carrying on full-volume business conversations as if the rest of us are simply part of their office. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 16 July 2026