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.

"The protests started in Durban, and they've escalated to other provinces. So definitely something bad could happen."

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Which is not to say it can’t happen.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

And they collapse on the ones that never happen.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

It might happen while she was going to the bathroom or playing on the floor with her daughter.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

I’d begun to imagine what would happen after the show.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu