Synonyms of befall

befall

verb

bi-ˈfȯl 

as in to happen

to take place

whatever befalls, we'll make the best of it and carry on

Synonyms & Similar Words

• happen
• occur
• be
• come
• do
• transpire
• come down
• betide
• come about
• come to pass
• pass
• cook
• come off
• go down
• hap
• go on
• arise
• chance
• rise
• materialize
• shape (up)
• develop
• proceed
• intervene
• result
• come up
• spring (up)
• crop (up)
• follow
• fall out
• turn out
• go off
• break

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of befall

The effort was in large part a response to the catastrophe that befell Flint, Michigan, a decade ago when dangerous levels of lead leached into the city’s water supply from old lead pipes, exposing people across the city to the toxic metal. —Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026

But Jimmy Chin is the exception, filming his climb, avalanches, injuries, and near-fatal setbacks that befall the voyage. —Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026

Tragedies befall teens all the time, and in this case, the focus is on moving forward, as represented by Minnie’s tentative flirtation with a girl named Kat (Iman Vellani). —Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026

Investors had worried that GLP-1 rival Novo Nordisk 's problems might befall Lilly. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026