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.

They say better surveillance, faster diagnostic tools, and more advanced water treatment technologies are needed to reduce the risk before infections happen.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026

“Dallas is a good team. I think in the last four minutes they kind of willed it to happen for them, and we didn’t, and that’s unfortunate.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

Why are you waiting around for your husband to make a decision that you know will never happen?

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

We do not want this to happen to another family.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Then Grandma knocked on my door and suggested I log out or something tragic might happen to the router.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words