Carry on — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb

Meaning & Definition of Carry on

Carry on (verb)

  1. to continue doing, pursuing, or operating
  2. to continue especially in spite of hindrance or discouragement
  3. to behave or speak in a foolish, excited, or improper manner

Carry on (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to behave badly

    "a toddler crying and carrying on in the store"

    similar: act out, act up, misbehave, raise Cain, run riot
    related: misconduct, disobey, rebel, clown (around), cut up, fool around, horse around, kid (around), show off, roughhouse
    near: obey, acquit, act, bear, comport, conduct, demean, deport, quit, comply, conform, check, collect, compose, constrain, contain, control, curb, handle, inhibit, move, quiet, repress, restrain

  2. to continue despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement

    "she bravely carried on despite the loss of her husband"

    similar: persevere, persist, gut it out, hang in there
    related: dig in, hang on, keep up, follow through (with), knuckle down
    near: give up, knock off, quit, bow, give in, submit, succumb, surrender, yield, falter, hang back, hesitate, shilly-shally, vacillate, waver, wobble

  3. to look after and make decisions about

    "carries on a business and still manages to run the household"

    similar: administer, administrate, conduct, control, direct, govern, guide, handle, keep, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tend, watch over
    related: care (for), mind, watch, lead, pilot, steer, guard, protect, safeguard, micromanage, stage-manage, codirect, comanage

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Carry on

The most common words with a similar meaning to Carry on:

act out, act up, misbehave, persevere, persist, administer, administrate, conduct, control, direct, govern, guide, handle, keep, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tend, raise Cain, run riot, gut it out, hang in there, watch over

Related Words for Carry on

misconduct, disobey, rebel, clown (around), cut up, fool around, horse around, kid (around), show off, roughhouse, dig in, hang on, keep up, follow through (with), knuckle down, care (for), mind, watch, lead, pilot, steer, guard, protect, safeguard, micromanage, stage-manage, codirect, comanage

Near Antonyms of Carry on

obey, acquit, act, bear, comport, conduct, demean, deport, quit, comply, conform, check, collect, compose, constrain, contain, control, curb, handle, inhibit, move, quiet, repress, restrain, give up, knock off, bow, give in, submit, succumb

Word Forms of Carry on

Inflections: carried on, carrying on, carries on

Origin & Etymology of Carry on

First known use: 1638t

Words & Phrases Containing Carry on

carry on a conversation, carry on the tradition, carry on with

Frequently Asked Questions about Carry on

What does "Carry on" mean?

"Carry on" means to continue doing, pursuing, or operating. As a verb, it is defined as: to continue doing, pursuing, or operating. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Carry on"?

Other words for "Carry on" include act out, act up, misbehave, persevere, persist, administer, administrate and conduct. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Carry on" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Carry on"?

There are 58 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Carry on". Common alternatives include act out, act up, misbehave, persevere, persist, administer, administrate, conduct, control and direct.

How do you use "Carry on" in a sentence?

Examples of "Carry on" in a sentence: "a toddler crying and carrying on in the store"; "she bravely carried on despite the loss of her husband"; "carries on a business and still manages to run the household".

Is "Carry on" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Carry on" is a verb.

What is the origin of the word "Carry on"?

First known use: 1638t.

What is another word for "Carry on" meaning "to behave badly"?

When "Carry on" (verb) means to behave badly, synonyms include act out, act up, misbehave, raise Cain and run riot.

What is another word for "Carry on" meaning "to continue despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement"?

When "Carry on" (verb) means to continue despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement, synonyms include persevere, persist, gut it out and hang in there.