happens

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.

See Examples For:

happens

One of the most endearing moments in our afternoon happens when his teenage son, Callum, calls looking for something around the house.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

Our interview happens the same week as the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which were an early example of asymmetrical warfare.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

Simon: "Going for a few drinks with the opposition - you would think that that happens in sport all the time, but they lost?"

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

In the city’s historic Fostoria neighborhood, Vicksburg PorchFest happens in early November.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026

When that happens, she closes the eyes of the dead and prays for them.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly