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.

“I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will," he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

If public markets are more attractive for companies to list, more value creation can happen there — meaning more upside can be available to individual investors through low-cost products.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

A big reason is psychological: It takes lots of evidence to convince people something unthinkable might be about to happen like major banks collapsing, a pandemic or actual fuel shortages.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

That didn’t happen as often anymore, but he knew she still got sad about her grandpa.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words