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Dictionary.com

chance upon

VERB
bump into
Synonyms
STRONGEST
come across meet up with run into
WEAK
encounter hit light light upon luck meet run across stumble tumble
VERB
come across
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bump into discover notice stumble upon uncover unearth
WEAK
happen upon hit upon light upon meet
Antonyms
STRONGEST
miss
VERB
encounter
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bear bump into come across come upon confront detect experience face find meet run into suffer turn up
STRONG
close descry espy front sustain undergo
WEAK
alight upon cross the path fall in with hit upon meet up with rub eyeballs run across run smack into
Antonyms
STRONGEST
avoid dodge lose miss pass by
WEAK
evade retreat run away
VERB
find
Synonyms
STRONGEST
detect discover encounter identify locate meet notice recover spot strike turn up uncover unearth
STRONG
collar corral descry discern distinguish espy expose observe perceive pinpoint recognize sight
WEAK
arrive at bring to light bump into come across come up with come upon dig up fall in with ferret out happen upon hit upon lay fingers on light upon make out run across run into scare up smoke out stumble upon track down trip on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
avoid leave lose miss overlook pass by
STRONG
misunderstand neglect
WEAK
fail fall short forfeit
VERB
hap
Synonyms
STRONG
arise befall betide develop happen occur pass result transpire
WEAK
come about come off come to pass take place
VERB
strike
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrive at catch reach seize take
STRONG
achieve attain effect encounter uncover unearth
WEAK
come across come upon dig up happen upon hit upon lay bare light upon open up stumble across turn up
VERB
stumble
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bump chance discover encounter tumble
STRONG
find hit light luck meet
WEAK
blunder upon come across come up against fall upon light upon run across stub toe on turn up
Antonyms
STRONG
avoid fail lose miss pass by
WEAK
overlook

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.

Edel Temple , a special needs assistant at Finn Valley College, told BBC's North West Today radio programme that she chance upon it on social media.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2023

If they chance upon the foul water, they are set to marry a widow or widower and if they choose the empty dish "the person is destined to be a bachelor or an old maid".

From Salon • Oct. 30, 2023

I happened by chance upon the new “Magpie Murders” on PBS on Sunday night.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2022

Within two minutes of walking into the centre we chance upon McConnell’s father, a local shop owner.

From The Guardian • Apr. 20, 2019

"And if our foes should chance upon you nonetheless?"

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin