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.

“This has got to stop, we can’t have a society that allows this to happen, we have got to make a stand, so please, no more,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

BBC Sport's TV and radio football pundits and co-commentators have predicted what will happen over the next five weeks, and we have asked AI and Opta's 'supercomputer' for their picks too.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Collins told The Times that wildlife interactions with humans, while rare, can still happen.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

"But the facts about what did and did not happen to them are not at issue in this trust litigation."

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

I couldn’t believe, didn’t want to believe, it was really going to happen, because I didn’t want to get suckered into waiting for the car to come.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott

happen

Example Sentences

Related Words