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

Whatever happens in court, Walker’s case will tell a powerful story about the experience of pregnancy in America—and ask both courts and voters if anyone should be held to account.

From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026

It also happens to be a marvelously made movie, though the elder Kazan focused solely on the fourth and final section of the novel, leaving it not just abridged but a bit adrift.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

What happens next will surprise everyone, including readers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

What has been less clear is why this happens and whether the vascular damage contributes directly to the disease.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026

Is this what happens when you grow up?

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