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.

Under the terms of my contract, two things will happen:

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2026

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

Iraqi Jews never imagined such carnage could happen.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

He put in crosses, made things happen, played with a fearlessness that will have impressed Clarke no end.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Nevertheless, this tiny tree fire was probably the most exciting thing to happen all year.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words