happen

[hap-uhn] / ˈhæp ən /

VERB

come to pass; occur

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appear arise arrive crop up develop fall go on hit materialize meet pass result take effect take place transpire

STRONG

befall betide bump chance down ensue eventuate follow issue light proceed recur shake smoke spring stumble supervene

WEAK

be found become a fact become known become of come about come after come into being come into existence come off luck present itself stumble upon turn out turn up what goes

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cease disappear fail halt lose stop

STRONG

precede

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.

The chief of Turkey's Pegasus Airlines, Guliz Ozturk, noted wryly that it was standard practice for carriers to predict various scenarios at the beginning of the year, only to see something entirely different happen.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Or is space-time — the manifold of all the events that happen throughout eternity — merely something that occurs?

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

"There was always the possibility this could happen," Prof Lampert says.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

“I would guess that this does not happen in the near term,” Marcus told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

I’m not sure what’s supposed to happen next.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words