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.

Whether the proximity between Trump and his new Fed chair translates into policy is the question investors are desperately seeking to answer, though they don’t think that will happen soon.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Kurtz said the evacuations were a precautionary measure, “so if anything bad were to happen, we’re dealing with property damage and not life safety.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

There had been hope that Stormont could agree a multi-year budget in January for the first time in more than 10 years, but that did not happen.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

We don’t know what’s going to actually happen, how much they’re actually going to implement.

From Slate • May 21, 2026

There was no telling what might happen if he took the Nanuak into the cave.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words