carry-on 1 of 2

noun

ˈker-ē-ˌȯn How to pronounce carry-on (audio)
Definition of carry-onnext
as in suitcase
a bag carried by hand and designed to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles the airline allows two carry-ons per person

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carry on

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to act out
to behave badly a toddler crying and carrying on in the store

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to persist
to continue despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement she bravely carried on despite the loss of her husband

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to operate
to look after and make decisions about carries on a business and still manages to run the household

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of carry-on
Noun
For now, the team hopes to work with scientists designing lunar science instruments to physically fit into RoboBall’s carry-on luggage-sized interior, while also fitting in with how RoboBall operates. — IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026 Shoes have a reputation for being clunky and not ideal for packing, but these lightweight, flexible flats can be stashed in a carry-on or weekender bag with no trouble. — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
Hobie’s world is turned upside down when his daughter, Charlie Vale (Jessica Belkin), shows up on his doorstep, eager to carry on the Buchannon family legacy. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 His son Robin Birley carried on the tradition with the opening of 5 Hertford Street in 2018 and his beautiful restaurant Oswald’s, where members can keep their own wines in dedicated drawers. — Mark Cecil, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for carry-on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carry-on
  1. suitcase
  2. act out
  3. persist
  4. operate
  5. misconduct
  6. manage
  7. disobey
  8. supervise
Noun
  • Several months later, the discovery of the two suitcases in Wisconsin would crack the case wide open.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Law enforcement found another 32 tied up inside a suitcase intended for similar buyers in August.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of suitcase
Verb
  • Dressed as Holmes and seated in a set version of the prison visitation room, Seyfried acts out lines from a script based on Fielder’s recollection of the conversation.
    — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In a heart-to-heart, Johnny tells Gabe that his reaction to his own parents’ divorce was also to act out.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of act out
Verb
  • Firefighters, however, remained on high alert as strong, easterly winds were expected to persist.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Backlash to higher prices persists even as governments spend to keep citizens happy.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of persist
Verb
  • The integration could help American troops operate uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) when adversaries attempt to disrupt battlefield communications.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The team’s last-second win over the Philadelphia Eagles last week in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was organized and operated by the NFL, part of the league’s more standard rotation of all teams playing overseas.
    — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of operate
Verb
  • The Utah Supreme Court ordered a new trial last year, pointing to misconduct by investigators.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In addition, referees were instructed to apply the rules regarding fouls and misconducts more strictly – a move meant to protect players and their inventiveness.
    — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Definition of misconduct
Verb
  • For younger consumers who have always managed much of their lives through apps, these experiences often feel like different versions of the same activity.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Separate nozzles also don't solve the problems of bonding incompatible materials or managing different printing temperatures.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of manage
Verb
  • The creditors’ lawsuit describes Kenny as a bullying presence who routinely threatened to fire anyone who disobeyed his orders.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Cops had issued summonses to the driver twice before, once in 2024 for failing to yield to a pedestrian and in 2018 for disobeying a traffic device, officials said.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of disobey
Verb
  • Fisker Automotive said that an internal investigation supervised by transportation regulators found salt corrosion had caused a short circuit in the battery, leading to the fire, rather than a preexisting defect.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Moton discussed it and his future with numerous people, including his family and Panthers team doctor Nancy Gritter, who supervised much of his care.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of supervise

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carry off
carry-on
carry on
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Cite this Entry

“Carry-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carry-on. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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