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.

The New York singer-songwriter showcased tracks from her latest album, Nothing's About to Happen to Me, which reflects her ability to be both relatable and mysterious simultaneously.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Because the way all the pieces fit together is so crucial, “Nothing’s About to Happen to Me” doesn’t reveal itself without close attention.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

“Having honor means being entitled to respect,” philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah writes in his seminal book The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen.

From Slate • Aug. 7, 2025

“I had done ‘Raising Arizona’ and ‘Honeymoon in Vegas’ and ‘It Could Happen to You’ and ‘Moonstruck.’

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2022

“Because Anything can Happen to Anyone,” Estha said.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words