happenstance
noun
hap·pen·stance
ˈha-pən-ˌstan(t)s 
ˈha-pᵊm-
: a circumstance especially that is due to chance
They came together by mere happenstance.
happenstance
adjective
Examples of happenstance in a Sentence
Our meeting was pure happenstance.
We met each other by happenstance.
It was an agreeable happenstance that we met.
Recent Examples on the Web
The country’s very first poly-friendly city ordinance came about almost by happenstance.
—
Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
The news led Deadline to pose the question of whether happenstance means Cannes might struggle to add headline-grabbing movies this year, with several other blockbusters unlikely to screen there.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
And that's obviously not by happenstance.
—Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
That wasn’t just happenstance, either.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
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Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
The news led Deadline to pose the question of whether happenstance means Cannes might struggle to add headline-grabbing movies this year, with several other blockbusters unlikely to screen there.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
And that's obviously not by happenstance.
—Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
That wasn’t just happenstance, either.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Cite this Entry
“Happenstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happenstance. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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