Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for happen.
Definitions

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.

"Before all this happened, I just thought health and safety was paramount to any HGV driver and I never thought something like this could ever happen," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

In the meantime, no one seems to know what will happen when the buses from Austin, Houston and Dallas round the bend on Highway 39 next month—if they are allowed to.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

“Diversification needs to be strengthened, but this won’t happen overnight,” he told reporters on election eve.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

And after this week, there is a growing possibility it could happen in full daylight with a roll call vote in the Senate.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

That’s what Dad told me almost three years ago when we walked through this hallway before I started sixth grade, and I knew right then that I’d do whatever it took to make that happen.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison