1
as in fashionable
being in the latest or current fashion
those are some happening duds, man
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
the downtown theater district is a happening place this autumn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in popular
enjoying widespread favor or approval
that might be a happening outfit right now, but not on a woman who'll never see 40 again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in experience
an exciting or noteworthy event that one experiences firsthand
the President's visit to the school was a real happening for teachers and students alike
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in event
something that happens
gave a detailed account of all the happenings of the weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in occurring
to take place
did anything exciting happen over the summer?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of happening
Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2018
In any case, these days, the most happening stuff is often happening between the floats.
—NOLA.com, 1 Feb. 2018
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Injuries are unfortunately a common happening in the NFL, as any player will say battling through them is a must throughout the grueling campaign.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
According to the Qatari government, officials there didn't learn of the strike until explosions were already happening.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happening
Adjective
What was once a sleepy college town next to a railroad stop is now one of the most happening cities in the state of Texas.
—Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2018
In any case, these days, the most happening stuff is often happening between the floats.
—NOLA.com, 1 Feb. 2018
Noun
The premise of the final movie revolves around the final case that Ed and Lorraine Warren take in their career of investigating paranormal happenings.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Injuries are unfortunately a common happening in the NFL, as any player will say battling through them is a must throughout the grueling campaign.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
This is happening all at the same time.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
According to the Qatari government, officials there didn't learn of the strike until explosions were already happening.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happening
Adjective
-
In advance of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, police swept the streets of Ginza, a fashionable neighborhood in Tokyo, for members of a group of style-conscious students known as the Miyuki Tribe.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Bell recently made the most fashionable host at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards in February, commanding the stage in not one, but four different Giorgio Armani Privé looks throughout the night.—
Laney Crawley,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The space itself — bright, polished, and buzzing — sets the tone for a brunch that’s chic without being stiff.—
Rai Mincey,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Their move back to the Taiwanese capital, where the mother sets up a food stand in a buzzing night market, brings them into closer proximity with her family.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
It’s also formulated with popular and effective ingredients, like retinol, antioxidants, and vitamin E.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Might Gaine was the fourth entry in the Brave saga and was a uniquely popular series.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The very technology designed to smooth our experience is actually increasing our discomfort with the unavoidable misunderstandings and tensions of real relationships, driving us toward isolation.—
Curt Steinhorst,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Shortly after taking the position, McMahon, who comes from many years of experience in the private sector, noted that DOGE was conducting a solid audit of the agency.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The new smart glasses are a bridge between the company's audio-only Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and the experimental Orion augmented reality glasses that the company revealed at last year's Connect event.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
-
In the wake of Kirk’s shooting, both Democrats and Republicans have expressed concerns about holding outdoor events.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
According to the study, this happened before when single cells evolved to become multi-cellular organisms and social insects evolved into ultra-cooperative colonies, although biologists have been skeptical that such a transition is occurring in humans.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
This peak, occurring periodically throughout the sun’s 11-year cycle, represents an increase in solar events like coronal mass ejections and solar flares.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On top of that, the glossy colors and neutral prints look stylish and match with everything.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
After decades of simple stemware and minimalist tumblers, wild, eye-catching vessels now adorn stylish tables.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike traditional campus speakers who delivered lectures in auditoriums, Kirk would grab a microphone, often in busy campus hubs, and invite debate from anyone in the audience.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
All of this is part of a busy night sky in September.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Happening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happening. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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