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happy accident

NOUN
coincidence
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accident fate fluke happening
STRONG
chance eventuality fortuity incident luck
WEAK
stroke of luck
Antonyms
STRONGEST
plan
WEAK
clash design deviation difference disagreement divergence mismatch scheme

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.

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” isn’t a happy accident; it’s a vital reminder of the immense value of human art and creativity, exemplified by this movie’s prudence.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

And then the happy accident of that is that you get to be more present because of value that it’s actually adding on top of what your phone can already do.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 8, 2025

Though she says it’s just a happy accident, her embracing the music that is her birthright coincides with the surge in popularity of country music.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2025

"It was my inaccurate time keeping that created a happy accident," Banks said.

From BBC • May 22, 2025

This combination must have been the result of a happy accident in the distant past.

From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park