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

“You have to go out of your way to register to vote, it’s not something that just happens to you,” Essayli said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

It appears as if some people are going about their daily business while a F1 race happens around them.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

Much of Magyar’s face time with guests happens in the evenings, when she “swans” around guest spaces or hosts dance parties and licensed versions of game shows like “Deal or No Deal” and “Family Feud.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

That was the same month, as it happens, when Meloni publicly broke with Trump over the latter’s criticisms of Pope Leo XIV.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2026

The one day I don’t ride the bus and something big happens.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

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