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Showing results for happen.
Definitions

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.

Now that the vitally important strategic chokepoint has been blocked once, the key players in the region have witnessed its closure once and now know it can happen again.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

In the hunt for votes, politicians of all stripes are trying to convince the public that their forecast of what would happen or not happen is the correct one.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

The transformation did not happen all at once.

From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026

European officials "are gathering information about flights, about capacity at Kabul airport, they're speaking with the Taliban about what would happen to the people sent back", said a source involved in the discussions.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

If I gave up, the Nazis would have won, and I’d never let that happen.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler