happened

verb

past tense of happen
as in occurred
to take place did anything exciting happen over the summer?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 happened On Monday, a kayaker happened upon a half-kilogram of cocaine off Sumerland Key in the Lower Keys. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026 The crash happened as a white Toyota Prius traveling north on Gillham Plaza struck the pedestrian, according to the crash log. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026 But, the most entertaining and consequential ending of the night happened in a small town in Idaho while the rest of the college football watching world was likely asleep. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Saint Catherine of Alexandria Roman Catholic Church in Avalon hosted a gathering on Thursday for community members who needed to speak to a counselor to help process what happened. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 What happened next is the part that actually surprised the experts. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026 Here’s everything to know about the Netflix film’s final moments, and what happened after in the real-life events. — Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026 So far, most residential development has happened on the Meridian side of downtown. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026 Someone caught them after a meeting and quietly explained what had just happened. — Jeff Leblanc, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happened
  1. occurred
  2. came
  3. was
  4. did
Verb
  • The site near the Spanish border draws millions of pilgrims each year, especially sick and disabled believers hoping for a cure from the famed spring water in the Lourdes grotto where the visions purportedly occurred.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The petition argues that the decision was incorrect because mining hadn’t occurred on the property for years prior to 1976, said the alliance’s attorney, Henry Josefberg.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of occurred
Verb
  • That came just a few days after news broke that Palantir had secured a $10 billion contract from the US Army over the next decade.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
  • All five of Bednar’s outs came via strikeout on Wednesday.
    — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2025
Definition of came
Verb
  • The sound of the music was one thing—even when Stereolab were at their loungiest or Stars of the Lid were including the key in which a song was composed in its title, there was something like the faintest air of rock music in their experiments.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Strada defends execution protocol There was no immediate response from Pike’s lawyers for an update Saturday on her condition at a hospital.
    — Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of was
Verb
  • Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday, nor did HUD officials.
    — Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Wisconsin Republicans did the same last year, and similar efforts have been raised in other states.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Definition of did

Browse Nearby Words

happenchances
happened
happened (by)
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Cite this Entry

“Happened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happened. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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