happen (upon)

verb

Definition of happen (upon)next
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for happen (upon)
  1. encounter
  2. meet
Verb
  • Those who can afford to buy at current mortgage rates or pay all cash are likely to encounter buyer-friendly trends in many markets.
    — Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Instead, online conversation quickly shifted from anticipation to expectation, as social media filled with comparisons between polished concept artwork and the reality guests encountered on opening.
    — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • The nine-bedroom property meets that tradition with more than 500 feet of frontage, a sandy beach, boathouse and the largest permanent in-water dock on the lake.
    — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Infinitely adjustable to meet all tastes and demands, from coarse to super fine seasoning.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of meet
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.

Browse Nearby Words

happens (upon)
happen (upon)
happily
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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 11 Jul. 2026.

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