happenstance

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.

Friends and family said it was tragic happenstance that either ended up in their ill-fated seats.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

The initial Metro Bashers came to their hobby independently, meeting through happenstance and their shared love of the rail network.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2025

This dish came about more by happenstance than planning, but I’m deeply grateful for that serendipity.

From Salon • Dec. 9, 2024

Other scientists must then replicate those results, proving that the first results weren’t happenstance.

From Slate • Nov. 14, 2024

Chances were that, fog and all, he’d made his drift dead center by happenstance; he’d had the luck he’d prayed for earlier.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson