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 most recent deadly chase happened in Pomona on Wednesday night. Tom Wait, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 Hernandez said he was encouraged by recent meetings with Republican members of Congress from his home state, Florida, but worries other priorities will drown out the bill, as has happened in the past. ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026 In some cases, after a long-term infection, the virus is able to re-emerge and begin to circulate again, as seems to have happened in this case. Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026 A lot has happened since to rattle the Senate's GOP moderates. Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026 But prosecution in this area is only possible if these markets are allowed to function, unmasking insider trading that has, until now, largely happened behind closed doors. Nic Puckrin, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026 Much has happened since, when the Hornets trudged out of Madison Square Garden with a 6-16 mark. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026 So please open your eyes and look at what’s happened in Iran. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026 What happened in years like this one? Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happened
Verb
  • But a major turning point in the power of the office occurred in 2009 with the contested reelection of the hard-liner president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud.
    Roxane Razavi, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Most of the operations that have occurred on the mission so far have helped build toward the TLI burn.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Apr. 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
  • With the Iran war in its fifth week, attacks in the Middle East continued and there was still no clear end to the war.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • There was consensus on protecting the victims.
    Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 31 Mar. 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 6 Apr. 2026.

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