as in to encounter
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
happened upon the hotel manager in the lobby and promptly complained about the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happen (upon)
Verb
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The most recent third season transported viewers to Thailand, where glamorous guests (played by Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Carrie Coon, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Walton Goggins, Aimee Lou Wood among many others) encountered enlightenment, spirituality and death.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026 -
Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, who hopes to return home to his wife (Anne Hathaway) after the Trojan War, but (famously), encounters a few obstacles.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So commences a night of harrowing encounters and trauma both physical and mental, starting with Ron and Mike’s trip to meet Oliver at a bar after one of his shows.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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When the Huskies lined up for a 50-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, Ben Barten’s outstretched hand met the ball, sending it skittering across the slick turf.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Happen (upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happen%20%28upon%29. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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