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.

Ellie also says she thinks young people can be naïve, adding that there is a perception that "it happened to them, so it won't happen to me".

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

I put forward two ways this could happen under the new tax law, one each for hourly and salaried workers.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

Last year, business owners signaled they weren’t willing to shell out more every year to make it happen.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

Even Hernandez’s supporters were fretting about what might happen on election night.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 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