happenstance

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.

What cemented his place there was half happenstance: his no-nonsense, on-the-scene reportage of the 1996 bombing at the Atlanta Olympics, which occurred while he was filling in at “SportsCenter.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

Michelle is fluent in the perky command, the passive voice, the slippery non-apology, the kind of language that frames cruelty as blameless happenstance.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025

Marles had met Hegseth in August to lobby him on Aukus, but the latter's office issued - and later retracted - a statement saying there were no talks, only "a happenstance encounter".

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025

Other scientists must then replicate those results, proving that the first results weren’t happenstance.

From Slate • Nov. 14, 2024

Slain by a Lannister bannerman before Ned could speak to him,- could that be mere happenstance?

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin