happened

Definition of happenednext
past tense of happen

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 happened The cause of the accident, which happened shortly before noon in good weather, was not immediately clear. Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026 The water reaching the Lower Basin will probably fall below that point later this year or next, which has never happened, said Brenda Burman, general manager of the Central Arizona Project. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 Most have found their way, educated themselves, and shaken off horrible memories, negative self-images, and bad relationships that happened for the wrong reasons. Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026 On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department detectives said that his death was being investigated as a potential connection to three other homicides that have happened at the same group of encampments in Willowbrook over four months, dating back to last October. Rachel Kim, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026 Meeting in trailer held at Mar-a-Lago One of the most in-depth interactions the president had in the movie happened at Mar-a-Lago, as the couple met about security and logistics of Inauguration Day. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026 Another encounter happened in late January, while on a dive with Woods and friend Fischer Franczyk. Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026 That’s what happened when he got benched late last season. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026 That's not what happened, however. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happened
Verb
  • The incident occurred just hours before dozens of flyers depicting former Prince Andrew were briefly scattered around the village of Dedham ahead of the royal visit, The Times reported.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The release said Lovely lives near where the fire occurred.
    Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • That came just a few days after news broke that Palantir had secured a $10 billion contract from the US Army over the next decade.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
  • All five of Bednar’s outs came via strikeout on Wednesday.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Importantly, there was no access to our member database, member accounts, the Bumble application, or member direct messages or profiles.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • All the while, there was the cancer.
    J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday, nor did HUD officials.
    Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The two men then said Smollett paid them to stage the attack, and Smollett was charged with filing a false police report; the charges were later dropped after Smollett paid a fine and did community service.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Happened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happened. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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