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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.

Sophie felt something bad was going to happen and her body froze in fear.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

“The skunk at the party—and it could happen in 2026—would be inflation slowly going up, as opposed to slowly going down,” Dimon wrote in the 49-page letter.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

“It’s hard to imagine what will happen if and when we have an extended bear market.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

If all working Americans are going to earn at least enough to cover their cost of living, policymakers will need to make it happen.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

We set the phone’s ring as low as we could and still hear it; but who might happen to be passing through the hall when it rang?

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.