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
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
No redemptive speechifying or cathartic waterworks here, just life carrying on with a slightly heavier tread.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Now the second generation is carrying on the same quality.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
In 2016, the Don Bolles/Arizona Republic News21 Fellowship was established for senior or graduate students studying at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University to work full time on an investigative project, carrying on Bolles' legacy.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Hawaii prevents concealed carry permit holders from carrying on private property without the owner’s express consent, either verbally or via hanging a sign.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2026
The notebook includes not just copies of letters in the Watkins papers but Virginia’s meticulous record of her fact-checking and her correspondence with Polly about the book’s success, spin-offs, sequels, and other projects carrying on to Polly’s death in 1962.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Then the gang wraps up the game, so Holly and her friends can take over, adorably carrying on the Dungeons & Dragons tradition.
—Yohana Desta, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2026
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
No redemptive speechifying or cathartic waterworks here, just life carrying on with a slightly heavier tread.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Now the second generation is carrying on the same quality.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
In 2016, the Don Bolles/Arizona Republic News21 Fellowship was established for senior or graduate students studying at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University to work full time on an investigative project, carrying on Bolles' legacy.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026
Hawaii prevents concealed carry permit holders from carrying on private property without the owner’s express consent, either verbally or via hanging a sign.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2026
The notebook includes not just copies of letters in the Watkins papers but Virginia’s meticulous record of her fact-checking and her correspondence with Polly about the book’s success, spin-offs, sequels, and other projects carrying on to Polly’s death in 1962.
—Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
Then the gang wraps up the game, so Holly and her friends can take over, adorably carrying on the Dungeons & Dragons tradition.
—Yohana Desta, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carrying on
Verb
-
The plaintiffs claim the administration is acting out of racial animus.—
Miami Herald Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Read on to find out why your child may be acting out, and when to seek help.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Amid persisting violence from criminal groups in a country long considered a peaceful tourist hub, polling reveals that Costa Ricans are most concerned about security this year.—
Djenane Villanueva,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The fourth measure, childhood immunizations, remains stubbornly low, with performance gaps persisting across regions and racial groups.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the long run, the companies will work toward a more unified retail experience, showing clearly that the two brands are operating as one team.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The health beat takes her inside operating rooms, laboratories and clinics to tell the story of health care from a human perspective.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The country's Supreme Court of Justice removed him from office in 2017 and sentenced him to prison for disobeying a court order to remove barricades during protests against the government of then-President Nicolás Maduro.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The driver, identified as 50-year-old Dawn Dubois, was arrested and charged with operating under the Influence, disobeying the signal of an officer and failure to drive in proper lane, according to state police.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
City staff is evaluating options for managing the orchard, including working with existing staff.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
With a dual perspective, this novel follows Maya managing her grief and facing the past while mothers in China are forced to give up their own daughters.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Likewise, when the young men started acting up, Josephine Holt took a keen interest in her newspaper.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Jan. 2026
-
If your trackpad is acting up, keyboard shortcuts can keep you productive without fighting the cursor.—
Ken Colburn,
AZCentral.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And for supervising sound editor Al Nelson, now Oscar-nominated for his work on the film, that meant getting up close and personal to the powerful cars whizzing around corners on the tracks.—
Beatrice Verhoeven,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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These workers keep companies running smoothly, often supervising multiple teams, the report says.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That was far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir’s first full year overseeing the police.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Border security is not the mission of the GLO, and using this office for that purpose distracts from its core responsibilities, managing public land, supporting public education, assisting veterans, and overseeing disaster recovery.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Carrying on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carrying%20on. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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