happen

verb

ˈha-pən How to pronounce happen (audio)
Definition of happennext
as in to occur
to take place did anything exciting happen over the summer?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 happen The full force of the deal will not take effect until both parties have complied with its closing conditions, which the agreement indicates could happen within months. — Cate Brown, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 Both catches would happen at the company’s launch site in South Texas, Starbase. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026 Something like this wouldn’t happen in the major pro leagues, since eligibility rules are collectively bargained between leagues and unions and are thus exempt from antitrust scrutiny. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Oct. 2026 The situation was reportedly de-escalated by a teammate before anything happened involving the gun. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for happen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happen
  1. occur
  2. come
  3. be
  4. do
Verb
  • People who had already turned 55 when the law was enacted also were given until August 2021 to file lawsuits, no matter when the alleged abuse occurred.
    — John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Trials in four other cases in which Sorrells’ predecessor, Sharen Wilson, decided to seek the death penalty, have occurred during Sorrells term.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of occur
Verb
  • At meetings in 2014 and 2016, both of which came six days before elections, the Fed held steady.
    — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Further announcements for the 2027 event will be due in the coming months.
    — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of come
Verb
  • The boos rained down again after many of the Hornets’ turnovers, and there were 25 of them altogether.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • When Silverstein joined parent company Spencer’s in 2003, there were only 130 Spirit stores nationwide.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of be
Verb
  • There are rippling gasps, drums, strings, sax, a vaguely Latin guitar, a sample of a woman talking about getting her hair done.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Sellers who have the option to pull their listing off the market are generally doing so.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of do

Phrases Containing happen

Browse Nearby Words

happed
happen
happen (by)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Happen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happen. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All