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.

That could happen in Europe sometime this month, he said.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

Unlike Americans in the 1980s, they expected prices to come back down, but that will likely not happen.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

"We are not there yet, but it can happen," Jorgensen said.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

“In Russia, they say that things don’t happen fast, but when they happen, they happen fast,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Then I stood up and watched to see what would happen.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls