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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.

Who do you see as a younger musician carrying on what you guys do?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

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 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 way Papa was carrying on had me a little worried.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

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