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Showing results for happen.
Definitions

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.

And after this week, there is a growing possibility it could happen in full daylight with a roll call vote in the Senate.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

He could need help, and that is exactly what Sasaki offers and exactly what should happen.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

“It had kind of become like: ‘Oh, it’ll happen, but it’s not going to happen while any of us are here,’” said Stella Holt, a fourth-year student specializing in multimedia journalism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

It will serve as a barometer of what will happen across the rest of the central belt.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

It became more and more evident to Duane that nothing interesting was going to happen.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el