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.

In some cases - as in Friday's reported recovery effort in Iran - the operations may happen deep in enemy territory.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

She thinks it will take until the end of the year for that to happen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Groups that oppose the plant want to make sure that doesn’t happen.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

But unless it resolves the deeper contradictions — unless it explains not just what is happening, but why it had to happen and how it will end — it will not change the fundamental dynamic.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

And I tried my hardest to ignore the dark feeling deep inside that told me that was never, ever going to happen.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words