Definitions

carrying on

[kar-ee-ing-on, -awn] / ˈkær i ɪŋˈɒn, -ˈɔn /

VERB

continue activity

Synonyms

WEAK

achieve endure hang on keep going last maintain perpetuate persevere persist proceed

Antonyms

WEAK

be calm discontinue mismanage stop

VERB

manage operations

Synonyms

WEAK

administer conduct direct engage in keep operate ordain run

Antonyms

WEAK

be calm discontinue mismanage stop

VERB

lose control emotionally

Synonyms

WEAK

act up be indecorous blunder cut up lose it make a fuss misbehave rage raise Cain

Antonyms

WEAK

be calm discontinue mismanage stop

carrying-on

ADJECTIVE

continuing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chronic enduring lasting

STRONG

advancing maintaining persevering persisting progressing pursuing sustaining

WEAK

permanent

Antonyms

STRONGEST

temporary

ADJECTIVE

long-lived

Synonyms

STRONGEST

durable long-lasting

WEAK

abiding advancing chronic enduring lasting long-standing maintaining old perdurable perennial permanent persevering persistent persisting progressing pursuing sustaining

ADJECTIVE

perdurable

Synonyms

WEAK

abiding advancing chronic durable enduring lasting long-lasting long-lived long-standing maintaining old perennial permanent persevering persistent persisting progressing pursuing sustaining

NOUN

adultery

Synonyms

STRONGEST

infidelity

STRONG

affair cheating fling fornication immorality matinee relationship thing

WEAK

extracurricular activity hanky-panky playing around two-timing

Antonyms

WEAK

faithfulness

NOUN

affair

Synonyms

STRONGEST

liaison relationship

STRONG

affaire amour fling intimacy intrigue love rendezvous romance

WEAK

extracurricular activity goings-on hanky-panky playing around thing together two-timing

Antonyms

STRONG

dislike hate hatred

NOUN

business

Synonyms

STRONGEST

interest issue problem

STRONG

affair assignment beeswax duty function happening lookout matter palaver point question responsibility subject task topic

WEAK

goings-on hanky-panky

NOUN

conduct

Synonyms

STRONGEST

charge handling management manipulation oversight plan policy strategy transaction treatment

STRONG

care channels control direction execution guidance leadership organization posture regimen regulation rule running superintendence supervision tactics wielding

WEAK

intendance red tape

Antonyms

STRONGEST

mismanagement

STRONG

disorganization disregard ignorance neglect

NOUN

dalliance

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fling

STRONG

affair relationship seduction toying

WEAK

a little on the side amorous play fooling around frolicking hanky-panky messing around working late at office

Antonyms

WEAK

hastening hurrying push rush

NOUN

foolishness

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absurdity bunk craziness folly indiscretion insanity irrationality irresponsibility lunacy rubbish silliness stupidity

STRONG

absurdness claptrap foolery impracticality imprudence inanity insensibility mistake poppycock senselessness tommyrot twaddle unwiseness weakness

WEAK

dumb trick fool trick horse feathers ludicrousness preposterousness unreasonableness witlessness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

judgment sense wisdom

WEAK

care carefulness caution circumspection prudence seriousness thoughtfulness wiseness

NOUN

imbecility

Synonyms

STRONG

absurdity absurdness bunk claptrap craziness folly foolery idiocy impracticality imprudence inanity indiscretion insanity insensibility irrationality irresponsibility lunacy madness mistake nonsense poppycock rubbish senselessness silliness stupidity tomfoolery tommyrot twaddle unwiseness weakness

WEAK

dumb trick fool trick horse feathers ludicrousness preposterousness unreasonableness witlessness zaniness

Antonyms

STRONG

intelligence judgment sense truth understanding wisdom

NOUN

monkey business

Synonyms

WEAK

absurdity absurdness antics buffoonery clowning around craziness disobedience foolery foolishness hanky-panky high jinks hokey-pokey horse feathers horseplay inanity insanity irresponsibility ludicrousness lunacy misbehavior mischief mischief-making monkeyshine nonsense poppycock prank silliness stupidity tommyrot

NOUN

operation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

action activity affair agency application deal effort enterprise exercise force movement procedure process service transaction trip use work

STRONG

act ballgame bit conveyance course deed effect employment engagement exercising exertion exploitation handiwork happening influence instrumentality labor manipulation motion performance play proceeding progress progression scene transference undertaking workmanship

WEAK

doing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cessation idleness inaction inactivity indolence inertia laziness passivity stoppage

STRONG

repose rest

WEAK

inutility uselessness

NOUN

scene

Synonyms

STRONGEST

performance

STRONG

commotion confrontation exhibition fit fuss row tantrum to-do upset

WEAK

temper tantrum

Antonyms

STRONG

calm

WEAK

composure

NOUN

senselessness

Synonyms

STRONG

absurdity absurdness bunk claptrap craziness folly foolery idiocy imbecility impracticality imprudence inanity indiscretion insanity insensibility irrationality irresponsibility lunacy madness mistake nonsense poppycock rubbish silliness stupidity tomfoolery tommyrot twaddle unwiseness weakness

WEAK

dumb trick fool trick horse feathers ludicrousness preposterousness unreasonableness witlessness zaniness

Antonyms

STRONG

intelligence judgment sense understanding wisdom

NOUN

tomfoolery

Synonyms

STRONG

absurdity antics bunk clowning craziness folly foolery foolishness fun giddiness horseplay insanity irresponsibility lunacy madness ridiculousness senselessness shenanigans silliness

WEAK

fooling around funny business high jinks joking kidding around ludicrousness

Antonyms

STRONG

sense seriousness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

What’s the point of carrying on if your day’s been reduced to nothing but consumer choices made via smartphone?

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

The statement from the King attempts to draw a line between the "working royals", who are carrying on with their "duty and service" while Andrew is facing the due process of the law.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

The dancing and carrying on by the secondary characters mostly feels like filler.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Several NGOs think carrying on seeking consensus is pointless and will produce the same outcome as Busan 2024 and Geneva 2025 -- but were somewhat encouraged by Saturday's outcome.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

The spiders were carrying on their life cycle at the back of Kitum Cave.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

carrying on

Example Sentences

Related Words