happened

Definition of happenednext
past tense of happen

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 In the production, directed by Jo Bonney, Susanna arrives there before realizing what has happened, a scene change that moves briskly enough to surprise you in the audience too. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 June 2026 The dinghy could provide insight into what happened the night 55-year-old Lynette Hooker of Michigan disappeared. Cristian Benavides, CBS News, 4 June 2026 Reiter Fights Back One of the things that people outside of South Florida often get wrong about the Epstein case is where the crimes happened and which law enforcement jurisdictions were responsible for holding Epstein accountable. Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026 The statement, signed by 107 people, demanded full disclosure of what happened, compensation for the victims and their families and the pursuit of legal accountability for those responsible. ABC News, 4 June 2026 That's what happened in the Scary Movie before this. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026 The incident happened during a peaceful ceasefire rally outside the South San Francisco Public Library on April 10, 2024, prosecutors said. Jason Green, Mercury News, 29 May 2026 Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 28, according to the Tribune’s archives. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026 The crash, like most in Sacramento, happened at night on a dangerous road. Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happened
Verb
  • The crime spree occurred from May to December 2023.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
  • The incident involving Levine, Kellen said, allegedly occurred during a summer trip to France around 2003, when Levine was a houseguest at a property Epstein and Maxwell had rented in Saint-Tropez.
    James Hill, ABC News, 4 June 2026
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
Verb
  • There was a fireplace, wet bar, and the porch—which faced the water—was almost as large as the main space.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Defense Minister Israel Katz denied there was a ceasefire in Lebanon.
    Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
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
  • The two men then said Smollett paid them to stage the attack, and Smollett was charged with filing a false police report; the charges were later dropped after Smollett paid a fine and did community service.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Happened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happened. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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