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.

For that to happen, much more is now expected from the home team on the field -- and the players are well aware.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

Or is space-time — the manifold of all the events that happen throughout eternity — merely something that occurs?

From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026

A cardiac arrest, which is different from a heart attack, can happen for a number of different reasons.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

“I would guess that this does not happen in the near term,” Marcus told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

“I’m glad now that it didn’t happen, but I hate that I was taken in by such a cad.”

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words