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.

I like being in the moment, not knowing what’s gonna happen in the next bar or at the ending.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

And they collapse on the ones that never happen.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

“What organ needs to fail? What thing needs to happen that pushes us over the edge?”

From Salon • May 27, 2026

Sadly, confinement isn’t the worst thing that can happen to a capybara who has a run-in with a human.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

You will get through your entire shift without another telephone call; it won’t happen again.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse