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.

Exactly what will happen to any hot stock—and when it will happen—is difficult to say.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

Investors are seeing this happen in the South Korea with Samsung and SK Hynix versus the rest of the market.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

“I refuse to let that happen in New Jersey,” she said in her best zero-tolerance voice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

A Paralympic athlete died "in an accident waiting to happen" when a metal bar fell on him, a sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey has been told.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

“I don’t need anything today, but what did happen to your gunny sack and traps? Did you lose them?”

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words