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.

“But at the moment it looks like the opposite is going to happen, and that’s risky,” Altman added.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

"It's not likely that anything will happen," Chloe said.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

The researchers suggest something similarly strange could happen with time.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

“If that doesn’t happen, traders will conclude the Fed is falling behind, and a further rise in U.S. inflation risk premiums and a new steepening of the yield curve may ensue,” they wrote.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

We set the phone’s ring as low as we could and still hear it; but who might happen to be passing through the hall when it rang?

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words