as in happened
to take place
whatever befalls, we'll make the best of it and carry on
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Recent Examples of befallen
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
A little more than a week after the franchise and general manager Chris Grier mutually parted ways, a similar fate has befallen co-directors of player personnel Adam Engroff and Anthony Hunt, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
—Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
This is far from the only injury that has befallen the Buccaneers' receiving corps this year.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
The Los Angeles Film School paid $1 million to resolve a federal audit in 2020, but avoided the stiffer penalties that have befallen other for-profit colleges accused of fraud.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert appeared on each other’s shows last night, using both opportunities to reflect on the recent chaos that has befallen late-night TV.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Xayavong had befallen the same fate and was found about a week later in a Coon Rapids storage unit.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
Consequences have befallen others who have made controversial comments in the aftermath of Kirk's death.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The same fate that has befallen so many local-news outlets has neutered the TTT as well.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
A little more than a week after the franchise and general manager Chris Grier mutually parted ways, a similar fate has befallen co-directors of player personnel Adam Engroff and Anthony Hunt, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
—Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
This is far from the only injury that has befallen the Buccaneers' receiving corps this year.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
The Los Angeles Film School paid $1 million to resolve a federal audit in 2020, but avoided the stiffer penalties that have befallen other for-profit colleges accused of fraud.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert appeared on each other’s shows last night, using both opportunities to reflect on the recent chaos that has befallen late-night TV.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Xayavong had befallen the same fate and was found about a week later in a Coon Rapids storage unit.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
Consequences have befallen others who have made controversial comments in the aftermath of Kirk's death.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The same fate that has befallen so many local-news outlets has neutered the TTT as well.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befallen
Verb
-
The driver that struck Riddles has not been charged with any crimes for the crash, which happened as Riddles tried to cross the road in an area that wasn't marked with a crosswalk.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Julia Roberts commanded attention from the red carpet to the stage, couples new and old stepped out for a glamorous date night and a few unexpected crossovers happened inside the venue.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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According to her bio on Cooley’s website, Hartnett serves as a trial and appellate advocate and has done work on a variety of issues including LGBTQ+ equality, civil rights and criminal justice.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Jan. 2026
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Nevertheless, the McAlarneys admit that keeping their children away from smartphones and limiting technology is easier said than done, especially in today’s digital age.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office reported that the avalanche occurred Friday afternoon in a remote area near Longs Pass, a popular hiking spot in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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Quickly, the miracle occurred—and the engine amply fulfilled the collective dream of the men gathered on the bank.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befallen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befallen. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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