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

“Sometimes that happens on the West Coast,” said Telesco, the Chargers’ GM from 2013 to 2023.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

The researchers performed experiments in zebrafish to trace what happens to sorbitol inside the body.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 6, 2026

This happens to me periodically, usually when the weather changes and I begin imagining that a new season might also produce a new personality.

From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026

As it happens, this TSA agent had a soft spot for chocolate-dipped strawberry cream JonnyPops.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026

“I—I overheard our moms talking about it. About some of the stuff your Mom said happens there. And…” Eddie tugs and pulls on the sleeve of her sweater.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy