Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for happen. Search instead for umhertappen.
Definitions

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.

If inventions are sudden flashes of inspiration, then they can happen to anyone tinkering in a garage or sitting under an apple tree.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

It’s an extremely chance meeting, but these kinds of things happen all the time.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

“We’ve seen so much happen over the course of the last decade,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 5, 2026

"I can't let that happen without knowing what the ultimate impact is going to be."

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

It’s what I was worried about, what I hoped wouldn’t happen, and I let it happen anyway.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.