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

Ben has been living abroad, while Lisa has continued living in their small town where "nothing ever happens".

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

"Many zoo studies focus only on what happens immediately after food is provided," Associate Professor Whittaker said.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

Formal enlistment happens only after arrival in Israel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

What happens in the next few months will be crucial.

From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026

I would read to him, and we’d look at the pictures and diagrams, and he’d say, “Ehennn! So that’s why so-and-so happens the way it does!” and ask questions I couldn’t answer.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo