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.

“Polymarket cuts through media spin and so-called ‘expert’ opinion by letting people bet on what they actually believe will happen in the world,” he said.

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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

"They're quite wordy so you could argue that a lot of subjective marking could happen," Polley said.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

It was one thing to believe that such things were possible thousands of years ago, another to have it happen now, to us, this very day.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words