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.

Opinion No. 2: Blowouts happen all the time in college football, and you don’t have to be a Cinderella to suffer one.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We are happy to cooperate with other countries, including the U.S., but it must happen with respect for us and our values and wishes.”

From The Wall Street Journal

That meant the ball was live, and Charbonnet happened to nonchalantly pick up the ball in the end zone after the whistle was blown.

From The Wall Street Journal

Forty minutes later, I shut my laptop, wondering what on earth had just happened.

From Los Angeles Times

But our job as journalists is to chronicle what’s happening, and based on what many people told me after it was published, I’m glad I was able to put what they were feeling into words.

From Los Angeles Times

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words