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.

She said she was on the ground to prevent "tensions escalating" and the protests passed without serious incident and "that did not happen by accident".

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

"I don't know what's going to happen with the weaponization fund," he said.

From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026

When “Ibra” talks about Ibra—which will happen a lot on America’s TV screens over the coming month—he still refers to himself in the third person.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

Human infection is rare, DeNotta said, but it can happen.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

The Cobra thing was supposed to happen the next day, but he hadn’t said a word about it all week, so I wasn’t sure his uncle was even coming.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words