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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.

State Sen. Lisa Grafstein, a longtime civil rights lawyer, said the state bar is worried: “If you push back against the General Assembly, what’s the next thing that’s going to happen to you?”

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

What will happen in Iran and the Middle East in the weeks and months to come?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

"But I would tell you, I don't have any rational fears about what's going to happen."

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

"Faith's an incredible example - it shows that heart and circulatory disease can affect someone of any age, no matter whether they're young, they're old, in terms of their lifestyle, it can happen to anybody."

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

It was stupid, but I remember wondering right then if there might be something in this election, some way that things could happen, that would give me a way to do something she might notice.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott