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.

But quantum advantage will happen in the next one to two years.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

There had been hope that Stormont could agree a multi-year budget in January for the first time in more than 10 years, but that did not happen.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

And how can the system be reformed so this doesn't continue to happen?

From BBC • May 20, 2026

“What’s really going to happen is that it’s going to elevate all of these people,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

I tried not to think of what would happen to her.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words