befell
bi-ˈfel 
bē-
; befallen
bi-ˈfȯ-lən
bē-
: to happen especially as if by fate
: to happen to
the fate that befell them
Examples of befall in a Sentence
It's sad to think of the unhappy fate that befell him.
The drought was only one of many hardships to befall the small country.
Recent Examples on the Web
Our hearts are heavy, and we are deeply stricken by this tragedy that has befallen one of our own.
—
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 25 Jan. 2026
In any case, Carlson did not have the luxury of perseverating on what befell him.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Our hearts are heavy, and we are deeply stricken by this tragedy that has befallen one of our own.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
In a First Opinion essay published last fall, an emergency medicine resident argued that the show accurately portrayed emergency care, but missed a chance to show the financial consequences that can befall patients.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for befall
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Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 25 Jan. 2026
In any case, Carlson did not have the luxury of perseverating on what befell him.
—Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Our hearts are heavy, and we are deeply stricken by this tragedy that has befallen one of our own.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
In a First Opinion essay published last fall, an emergency medicine resident argued that the show accurately portrayed emergency care, but missed a chance to show the financial consequences that can befall patients.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for befall
Cite this Entry
“Befall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/befall. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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