as in to happen
to take place
whatever befalls, we'll make the best of it and carry on
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 befall
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befall
Verb
-
The organoids showed cell death, inflammation and glial scarring, closely mimicking what happens in the human body after severe injury.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
-
However, this only happens in a biosphere that’s saturated with life; there is no guarantee that most inhabited planets would have had this occur.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Officials gave conflicting explanations for the closure, leaving the public unsure about what actually occurred in the skies above El Paso.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Before Tuesday, the most recent party-line vote failure occurred in July involving cryptocurrency and appropriations bills.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befall. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
