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Showing results for happen.
Definitions

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.

That’s scant consolation for those hoping to fly somewhere this summer—unless they also happen to own Delta stock.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Scott said: "It was really nice to meet Mandy again, it's something that doesn't happen often."

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Unlike the patient Silent Generation, boomers had high expectations and used their sheer numbers as well as financial and political clout to make them happen, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

If I wanted to be something, I’d find the proper avenues to make it happen.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

“Aw, Daisy,” I said, “didn’t anything happen to us. We just had a little fight with those monkeys and they bit us a few times. That’s all.”

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls