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 making “Never Be the Same,” Thompson wanted to allow room for the “devastating moment,” a point in a song where something unexpected can happen, “that one lick where you just melt.”

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026

They said that given the timing of O’Neill’s arrival, any major product relaunch might not happen until early 2028.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

The fact that many in attendance seemed to know very little about what was about to happen felt like nitpicking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

For now, the research stands as an impressive demonstration of what can happen when scientists rethink a familiar natural phenomenon.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

I couldn’t even think about what would happen once Ba came home.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words