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
The roots of Soviet and post-Soviet homophobia lie not in religion, but in the legacy of the Soviet gulag—where being homosexual was considered the worst thing that could befall a man.
—
Mikhail Zygar, Vanity Fair, 7 Jan. 2026
The film smartly foreshadows what will befall Alma and Maggie and Hank.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Tragedy befell Turner’s family in 2018, when his mother succumbed to cancer.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
There's a mysterious little girl (Caoilinn Springall) on the station with him, and 2) her only hope for survival is the Aether, a distant spaceship that's returning to Earth unaware of the fate that's befallen it.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for befall
Mikhail Zygar, Vanity Fair, 7 Jan. 2026
The film smartly foreshadows what will befall Alma and Maggie and Hank.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Tragedy befell Turner’s family in 2018, when his mother succumbed to cancer.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
There's a mysterious little girl (Caoilinn Springall) on the station with him, and 2) her only hope for survival is the Aether, a distant spaceship that's returning to Earth unaware of the fate that's befallen it.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for befall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befall
Verb
-
What’s happening in Minneapolis isn’t a policy debate playing out on cable news.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
As often happens during a crisis, the best of intentions can lead to some bad ideas.—
Matthew Kandrach,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And one of the main lessons that will be learned from that account is that while the harms that occurred came quickly and sometimes surprisingly easily, their negative consequences — on universities and society at large — will linger for a long time.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
What self-revelation occurred was not done casually.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befall. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
