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.

“Failure is part of the game, and it’s going to happen, and you can’t do anything to avoid it,” Berry said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

New 800-volt systems won’t be deployed at scale until 2028, Seaport said, but design choices will happen this year.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

The launch, which could happen as soon as Friday, comes ahead of “an IPO that’s basing so much” on narrative and symbolism.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Thankfully, many of my own anchor ingredients happen to be fairly budget-friendly: rice, greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, lemons, tortillas, cabbage, beans, eggs, chicken thighs, coconut milk, good olive oil and sourdough.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

It seemed to me that about everything that could ever happen in an August already had.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words