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.

She said she was afraid for her family and didn’t know what to do, as the Israeli government wasn’t evacuating them or updating them on what was going to happen next.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

For now, the research offers a more detailed view of what may happen during intermittent fasting.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

He put in crosses, made things happen, played with a fearlessness that will have impressed Clarke no end.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

And it didn’t take earnings or fresh guidance or even a momentous announcement to make that happen.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

The Cobra thing was supposed to happen the next day, but he hadn’t said a word about it all week, so I wasn’t sure his uncle was even coming.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words