as in coincidence
formal + literary
something that happens by chance
Our meeting was pure happenstance. We met each other by happenstance.
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Recent Examples of happenstance
Perhaps even two or three odd happenstances.
—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
During the interview with BBC Radio 2, Jagger explained that the collaboration with Smith came about by happenstance at an industry event.
—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
1 June 2026
For Black millennials, dressing up to go out wasn't just happenstance.
—
Jasmine Browley,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
If one cruel injury is happenstance and twice is bad luck, what’s four times before July?
—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
During the interview with BBC Radio 2, Jagger explained that the collaboration with Smith came about by happenstance at an industry event.
—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
1 June 2026
For Black millennials, dressing up to go out wasn't just happenstance.
—
Jasmine Browley,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
If one cruel injury is happenstance and twice is bad luck, what’s four times before July?
—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happenstance
Noun
-
This year's festival just happens to land exactly on the Fourth of July, a coincidence Patti Mangan, the executive director of the Fillmore Merchants Association, believed was a blessing.
-
Speaking of dogs, Rikke has one, and Park shares that the casting of this dog was a lucky coincidence.
Noun
-
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
-
Hughes did not respond to a message seeking more information about the circumstances of the crash.
Cite this Entry
“Happenstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happenstance. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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