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.

Iraqi Jews never imagined such carnage could happen.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

For now, the research offers a more detailed view of what may happen during intermittent fasting.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

"Because this could happen to any community - an individual could break the law and murder someone but you wouldn't demonise that entire community."

From BBC • May 31, 2026

But such a powerful run-up has certainly raised the risk that this could happen.

From MarketWatch • May 30, 2026

We had no more than entered the bottoms when things began to happen.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words