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.

“It all happens in the heat of the moment,” a midshipman told me.

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2026

"Whether this happens today after tomorrow or in one week or in 10 days, it's important but not essential. This is going to happen," said Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026

The ruling was one of five decisions the high court issued on Tuesday as it races to wrap up its work before taking a summer recess, which typically happens in late June or early July.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026

"When it happens I'll be in tears of happiness," she says.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

“And what happens if you don’t get a scholarship?” he asks.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam