happenstance

noun

hap·pen·stance | \ ˈha-pən-ˌstan(t)s

, ˈha-pᵊm-\

Definition of happenstance

: a circumstance especially that is due to chance They came together by mere happenstance.

Other Words from happenstance More Example Sentences Learn More about happenstance

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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 litany of inequities black people and particularly black women face isn’t just the product of happenstance. — Nina Turner, Vogue, "Why Universal Health Care, Higher Wages, and Free Public Education Are Crucial Issues for Black Women," 3 May 2019 Every mundane happenstance in the lives of Gigi and Bella Hadid has become tabloid fodder at some point. — Glamour, "A Tabloid Called the Hadids’ Books ‘Hot Accessories’ and People Have Thoughts," 21 Mar. 2019 Everybody’s looking for something, or someone, or some happenstance to pull them out of their loop. — Tasha Robinson, The Verge, "Steven Yeun on Burning, The Walking Dead, and changing roles for Asian-Americans," 4 Nov. 2018 While the documentary is being made, his photographs are discovered almost by happenstance, by a friend with connections to the art world — and Hogancamp finds himself with an exhibition at a gallery in Greenwich Village. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "Before you see Welcome to Marwen, stream the documentary about the true story behind it," 21 Dec. 2018 Mario Tama / Getty Images Elon Musk unintentionally avoided a real crisis of happenstance this fall. — Theodore Schleifer, Recode, "Elon Musk says he ‘probably’ wouldn’t take money from the Saudis now," 2 Nov. 2018 Photo: David Davies/PA Wire/Zuma Press That is not merely a happenstance working in Europe’s favor. — Brian Costa, WSJ, "American Golfers Ponder Foreign Concept—Hitting Fairways," 27 Sep. 2018 Corcoran built Itchio haphazardly and by happenstance, starting in 2013. — Patricia Hernandez, The Verge, "The game store that outshines Steam by staying small and weird," 29 Nov. 2018 Also by happenstance, the music directors of both orchestras were once assistant conductors of the Boston Symphony Orchestra: Marcelo Lehninger in Grand Rapids and Carl St. Clair in Orange County. — James R. Oestreich, New York Times, "Review: Two U.S. Orchestras Get a Rare Chance at Carnegie," 23 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'happenstance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.