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
  3. run across
Verb
  • The government leases only 48,000 square feet and 29 parking spots in the 350,000-square-foot property, and the lease does not extend to the place where prosecutors say Morrow and Stanley encountered officers, the defense attorneys maintain.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • This is just one of many, many kinky situations Hoffman encounters as Elliot, a meek, wide-eyed college graduate who enters into a sadomasochistic relationship with gallery owner Erika Tracey (Olivia Wilde).
    — Anna Tingley, Variety, 31 July 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • Want to know what to wear to feel closer to yourself, how to update your home to meet a new phase of life, or ways to switch up a beauty routine during an important transit?
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Smith met the victim at Little Platte Swim Beach, the probable cause statement said, where three men allegedly approached the pair.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of meet
Verb
  • In 2024, Mandhana set the record for most international runs across formats by a woman and then beat her own record last year—a feat that contributed to her being crowned BBC Indian Sportswoman of 2025.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 June 2026
  • The fan ran across to the three-point line where San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was standing, and appeared to try to take a selfie with the player.
    — Daniel S. Levine, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
Definition of run across
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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Happen (upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happen%20%28upon%29. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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