as in to occur
to take place
did anything exciting happen over the summer?
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of happen
With the last night of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve falling on the same day this year – something that rarely happens – the reverend and rabbi choose to offer a joint service for their congregations.
—
Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
The failure of the Gulf of Panama’s seasonal upwelling system has left scientists wondering what happens next.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
And, in 2023, forecasters and Fed economists predicted a recession that never happened.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
The California mentality with regard to natural disaster is a variety of how any of us anywhere try to get through each day without the worst happening.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happen
Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2025
The failure of the Gulf of Panama’s seasonal upwelling system has left scientists wondering what happens next.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
And, in 2023, forecasters and Fed economists predicted a recession that never happened.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
The California mentality with regard to natural disaster is a variety of how any of us anywhere try to get through each day without the worst happening.
—Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happen
Verb
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Similar surges have occurred with Kirk and Turning Point’s accounts on TikTok and YouTube.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
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The shooting occurred at Evergreen High School in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.—
Lynn Kutter,
Arkansas Online,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Something has to give if the Commanders want to keep their young quarterback leading the way for years to come.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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Arsenal have been so used to Saka coming inside onto his left foot, so to have a player who is equally capable of driving down the outside and running along the byline is a new threat.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Athletique There is something edgy yet soft about a funnel-neck in a technical fabric—lean in and pair a wind- and water-resistant shell with trousers and sneakers for a touch of sport, or style it with a pencil skirt and kitten heels for a more feminine feel.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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There are multiple ways to use the Hair Steamer, depending on your hair and preferences.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In addition to higher rates and fewer terms, Rocket also charges closing costs, which Third Federal does not.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
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This is done through communication of leadership goals.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Happen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happen. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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