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.

These are foundational building blocks of deliciousness, no less worthy because they happen to arrive in powdered form.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

"It was an accident waiting to happen," he told the court.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

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

From Barron's • 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

It seemed to me that about everything that could ever happen in an August already had.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words