occur

verb

ə-ˈkər How to pronounce occur (audio)
Definition of occurnext
as in to happen
to take place let me know when the lunar eclipse is scheduled to occur

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 occur The confrontation occurred during the Thorns’ match against the North Carolina Courage at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. — Matt Calkins , Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Signs such as numbness, vision changes, fatigue, and difficulty walking can occur in many other neurological disorders. — Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026 The earthquake's epicenter was about 4 miles west-northwest of Cobb and occurred at a depth of 1 mile. — Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026 For many women, perimenopause occurs during high earning years at a time when women have more experience and time to give to their careers. — Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occur
happen
Verb
  • This year, that did not happen initially, according to officials in three states who spoke to NPR anonymously because they weren't authorized to speak to the press.
    — Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Room for Disagreement No matter what happens with Permian oil production, the region is set to see a windfall from the influx of hyperscale data centers, including an enormous one Chevron is building southwest of Midland.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of happen

Phrases Containing occur

Browse Nearby Words

occupying
occur
occurred
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Occur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occur. 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