happened (upon)

verb

past tense of happen (upon)
as in encountered
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 happened (upon)
  1. encountered
  2. met
Verb
  • The New Evidence also devotes time to the defense theory that Laci encountered the burglars who robbed the home of across-the-street neighbors Rudy and Susan Medina.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026
  • Later that morning, officers again encountered the van and surrounded it after its occupants allegedly attempted to flee a second time, Reitz said.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Definition of encountered
Verb
  • When Prince Harry met the King in September last year, there was also no official photograph.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 July 2026
  • The company also met and spoke with residents and neighborhood organizations as part of the process.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
Definition of met
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

happened (on or upon)
happened (upon)
happening
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Cite this Entry

“Happened (upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happened%20%28upon%29. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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