as in to occur
to take place
did anything exciting happen over the summer?
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of happen
Roughly 20 parents spoke to the school board Thursday night questioning what would happen if Blanton closed.
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Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
What is happening with store prices for milk, butter and cheese?
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Jan. 2026
By the way, the SEC won’t win a national championship for the third straight year, the first time that has happened since 2000-2002.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Ukraine might be at peace had that happened.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happen
Verb
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Strong winds are occurring but are not so strong as to warrant a High wind warning.—
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The child's mother reported to Child Protective Services that the abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024, the complaint said.—
Verb
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The big moment comes amid the HBO Max drama's breakout success and after the pair was photographed out together several times on Globes weekend.—
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The killings came amid a wave of bloody violence tied to drug trafficking and organized crime, which has surged across Ecuador in recent years.—
Verb
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There are scientific and sound studies to back up OneSkin’s Peptide Age Reversal Moisturizer’s claims, but shopper testimonies, too—between the brand’s website and Amazon, this has 5,000 five-star ratings.—
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Mayor Quinton Lucas said there is an urgency for the completion of a permanent municipal jail.—
Verb
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By the end of this eerily melodic, strangely beautiful song about doing nothing, Tyler dreams wistfully of loitering in a parking lot.—
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That’s one of the most beautiful things about doing the play right now, that there are so many people coming who have never been to a play before, especially young people.—
Cite this Entry
“Happen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happen. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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