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

This study instead focuses on the ways they interact, and on what happens when those connections begin to weaken.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

“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

“One of the most important things that happens after you lose someone is accommodation, meaning you start to adapt to a new normal,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

“What happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic,” said George.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz