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
With the murky rights issues that have befallen many ’90s indies cleared up, the film is ready to be rediscovered by a new generation.
—
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Seger’s music also seems to have been less conducive to the sort of right-wing political co-optation that has persistently befallen Springsteen’s, Petty’s, and Mellencamp’s work.
—Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
That exact same scenario has befallen Pool B of the WBC, except it’s turned everyone into mathematicians heading into the finale.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
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
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
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
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Seger’s music also seems to have been less conducive to the sort of right-wing political co-optation that has persistently befallen Springsteen’s, Petty’s, and Mellencamp’s work.
—Jack Hamilton, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2026
That exact same scenario has befallen Pool B of the WBC, except it’s turned everyone into mathematicians heading into the finale.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befallen
Verb
-
The big battle of the season happened at Rook’s Rest, where Princess Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys were killed by Aemond and his dragon Vhagar while fighting Aegon and his dragon Sunfyre.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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The shootings happened Tuesday evening at I-670 and Wyoming Street, I-70 and Paseo Boulevard, I-70 and Prospect Avenue, and at Truman Road and Hardesty Avenue, police have said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Verb
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But legal scholars said any change to the center's name could not be done unilaterally by the board and instead required congressional action.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
Once Christo showed it could be done safely and beautifully, the conversation changed.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Verb
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As with most investigations of this scale and complexity, the investigation and review of evidence has continued long after the initial incident occurred.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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Koné was in straight shock when the injury occurred, holding his leg at first and then placing his hands on his head.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befallen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befallen. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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