as in to occur
to take place
did anything exciting happen over the summer?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of happen
This typically happens because navigating the conflict proves that the relationship is resilient and can withstand the realities of the human experience.
—
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
2 July 2026
In its latest trends report, Embark says September is pacing ahead of last year in Europe, while July is slipping—the first time that has happened in the company's history.
—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Reynolds was on her USPS route when the incident happened, Postal Inspector Jessica Adams told USA TODAY.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
The incident happened after two trenches collapsed in Oakland County in the last 24 hours.
—
Dejanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for happen
Joy Harden Bradford,
AJC.com,
2 July 2026
In its latest trends report, Embark says September is pacing ahead of last year in Europe, while July is slipping—the first time that has happened in the company's history.
—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Reynolds was on her USPS route when the incident happened, Postal Inspector Jessica Adams told USA TODAY.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
The incident happened after two trenches collapsed in Oakland County in the last 24 hours.
—
Dejanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for happen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happen
Verb
-
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis occur between two days and two weeks after exposure, and include frequent watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight, abdominal cramps and bloating, nausea and low-grade fever.
-
The fatal hit-and-run occurred less than two hours after a 13-year-old boy was killed riding on the back of a moped in Queens after his friend slammed into an open car door and then careened into a moving truck.
Verb
-
This pack comes with four waterproof, spacious dustbags big enough for bulky sneakers and heels alike, which flight attendants say still hold up after consistent use.
-
Gakpo's teammates came onto the filed to support him and formed a circle around him, putting their arms around each other as the crowd cheered, as shown in another video shared by Fox Sports.
Verb
-
There are nods to the environmental devastation wrought by the cattle industry that dominated Southern California in the first half of the 19th century, as well as the Faustian bargain struck by Indigenous people who converted to Catholicism.
-
That match was held before the game in Kansas City, and each time Cape Verde scored, there were cheers from the Colombia supporters at Arrowhead Stadium.
Verb
-
The divergence is over whether the worker shortage is improving slowly or still getting worse, and what the Supreme Court should do about it.
-
The band is forced into doing take after take in his quest to fully convey his own emotions.
Cite this Entry
“Happen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happen. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
