happens

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.

See Examples For:

happens

In case you’re unfamiliar with Ritchson, he’s a muscles-on-muscles behemoth whose bread and butter happens to be skull-drubbing action films.

From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2026

Reverend Pat Alden said: "When something happens, whether it's something we celebrate... or tragic circumstances like this, the community comes together."

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

Researchers combined genetic, pharmacological, genomic, and spatial transcriptomics techniques to examine what happens when the hormone becomes active.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026

“But what happens when they go about and about?” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

“Exactly! Thank you for understanding. I’ve never had a crush. What happens now?”

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin