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

“That’s what happens when you feel discouraged or like nothing’s going to change.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

The film's simple premise involves what happens when a wish comes true.

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

It’s because math happens to be useful marketing—a way to advertise the growing capabilities of their latest models.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

"And what happens then, nobody knows. But could it be catastrophic? Yes, it could."

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

When that happens, she closes the eyes of the dead and prays for them.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly