happenstance
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.
The country’s very first poly-friendly city ordinance came about almost by happenstance.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026
It wasn’t Hollywood, exactly, but a recent happenstance just might sustain me for whatever lies ahead.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 22, 2025
Marles had met Hegseth in August to lobby him on Aukus, but the latter's office issued - and later retracted - a statement saying there were no talks, only "a happenstance encounter".
From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025
This dish came about more by happenstance than planning, but I’m deeply grateful for that serendipity.
From Salon • Dec. 9, 2024
Chances were that, fog and all, he’d made his drift dead center by happenstance; he’d had the luck he’d prayed for earlier.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
Vocabulary lists containing happenstance
Portmanteaus: Vocab Mash-Ups
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The Things They Carried
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This Week In Culture: Current Events Vocab for October 24–30, 2020
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