befell

past tense of befall

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 befell By not putting out a press release or social media post announcing their Kalshi partnerships, both MLB clubs avoided the kind of embarrassing backlash that befell the New York Mets a few weeks ago. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Perhaps, then, the back spasms that befell him on May 23 were a blessing. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 28 May 2026 Michael’s deal with Pepsi is part of that, and the film’s portrayal of the horrifying accident that befell him during the filming of a Pepsi commercial — a spark set his hair, and scalp, on fire — makes the trauma feel like an outgrowth of Joe’s karma. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026 The same fate, Al-Nabi added, befell the Gezira Museum in Wad Madani following the RSF’s invasion of Gezira state. — Eissa Dafallah, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026 Those two gave the Longhorns life when misfortune befell them early. — Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2026 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 Her father’s memories Bass avoided the pitfalls that befell her father. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026 In any case, Carlson did not have the luxury of perseverating on what befell him. — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befell
Verb
  • What happened in Clancy’s case appears to be similar, assuming the other jurors’ account — and not the holdout’s — is accurate.
    — Monu Bedi, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Take what happened during the Covid-19 pandemic— the Fed, then led by Jerome Powell, was concerned that the pandemic would lead to massive layoffs.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • City police officers were not involved in the operation or the shooting, which occurred after a traffic stop, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said while briefing reporters along with the city's mayor and other officials.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Hours after the tragedy occurred, dozens of community members and teenagers gathered in Manhattan’s East Village at the intersection of East 14th Street and First Avenue to pay tribute to Serkov.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Befell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befell. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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