happenchance

noun

Definition of happenchancenext
as in accident

Related Words

Relevance

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 happenchance The Wilson New York onslaught—including billboards of Stefanos Tsitsipas adorning the city advertising the new Blade— isn't happenchance. — Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happenchance
  1. accident
  2. chance
  3. luck
  4. happenstance
  5. circumstance
  6. hazard
Noun
  • Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Since 2023, state regulators have issued 6,928 citations, including 140 for abuse and neglect by staff, 254 for accident hazards, and 257 for failing to control infections, according to state records.
    — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
Definition of accident
Noun
  • Residents in Congressional District 24 will get a chance to hear from candidates running to fill the seat of outgoing Congresswoman Frederica Wilson at a forum held in Little Haiti.
    — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • Having one copy of the APOE4 variant may double or triple the chance of developing Alzheimer’s, while having two copies may raise risk by tenfold or more.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of chance
Noun
  • The Athletics’ injury luck may have just gotten even worse, as improbable as that may seem.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
  • For those looking to test their luck on the strip, or just get a little staycation in, use a 15% discount at any Caesars property in Las Vegas with promo code LOCAL.
    — Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
Definition of luck
Noun
  • Up to this point, Ruthye has begged Supergirl to help her exact revenge on Krem, which the heroine has refused, so the alignment of their goals ends up a convenient happenstance.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • And June 14, which by happenstance is my birthday.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Definition of happenstance
Noun
  • Officers are working to gather information regarding the circumstances that may have led up to the crash, including who was supervising the children.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
  • Police said that suspect information, a motive and the circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Definition of circumstance
Noun
  • Avoid a fire hazard by warming liquids in a kettle or another container before pouring them into the Owala.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026
  • Tens of thousands of pets ended up at poison control last year over one hazard sitting quietly in gardens, kitchens and living rooms.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of hazard

Browse Nearby Words

happen (by)
happenchance
happenchances
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Happenchance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happenchance. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All