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.

So I called Rasheed Newson, whom I’d seen around the L.A. lit scene but had never met, and asked how he’d made the magic of his novel happen.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

If that were to happen, Dowson said it would be a "significant achievement" that would be "well up there" with previous Prodrive triumphs.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

She said she was afraid for her family and didn’t know what to do, as the Israeli government wasn’t evacuating them or updating them on what was going to happen next.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

"The correction had to happen," one Austin developer says.

From Barron's • May 31, 2026

What had happened to Ekaluk I did not want to happen to me.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words