Synonyms of happening

happening 1 of 3

adjective

1

as in fashionable

being in the latest or current fashion

those are some happening duds, man

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fashionable
• stylish
• exclusive
• in
• chic
• swell
• hip
• smart
• fresh
• trendy
• cool
• elegant
• voguish
• swish
• supercool
• downtown
• modish
• au courant
• à la mode
• sophisticated
• graceful
• sharp
• haute
• handsome
• snappy
• funky
• dashing
• edgy
• posh
• ritzy
• saucy
• swank
• classy
• spiffy
• dapper
• dressy
• spruce
• majestic
• sassy
• tasteful
• natty
• kicky
• chichi
• rakish
• doggy
• understated
• ultrahip
• flashy
• dudish
• ultrasmart
• gallant
• nobby
• doggish
• flossy
• ultraposh
• ultrasophisticated
• refined
• stately
• soigné
• foppish
• ultrachic
• dandyish
• ultracool

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• out
• outmoded
• unfashionable
• unbecoming
• uncool
• unattractive
• tacky
• dowdy
• cheesy
• messy
• unmodish
• trashy
• sloppy
• untidy
• tasteless
• inelegant
• unchic
• unkempt
• unstylish
• slovenly
• styleless
• graceless
• wrinkled
• disheveled
• shabby
• unhandsome
• rumpled
• sleazy
• frowsy
• mussy

2

as in buzzing

marked by much life, movement, or activity

the downtown theater district is a happening place this autumn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• buzzing
• busy
• thriving
• vibrant
• crowded
• humming
• lively
• populous
• bustling
• alive
• abuzz
• flourishing
• stirring
• kinetic
• brisk
• abubble
• hopping
• animated
• astir
• rousing
• swarming
• overflowing
• aboil
• teeming
• abounding
• thronging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dead
• inactive
• sleepy
• lifeless
• asleep

3

as in popular

enjoying widespread favor or approval

that might be a happening outfit right now, but not on a woman who'll never see 40 again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fashionable
• popular
• favorite
• popularized
• in
• pop
• large
• big
• hot
• desirable
• vogue
• famous
• du jour
• faddish
• red-hot
• celebrated
• faddy
• preferred
• voguish
• important
• prominent
• fabulous
• selected
• modish
• legendary
• crowd-pleasing
• notorious
• liked
• famed
• wanted
• renowned
• leading
• remarkable
• notable
• noted
• outstanding
• fabled
• significant
• semipopular
• well-known

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• out
• unpopular
• rejected
• unfashionable
• unimportant
• insignificant
• disliked
• unknown
• hated
• despised
• detested
• obscure
• unexceptional
• washed-up
• anonymous
• inconspicuous
• indistinguished
• nameless

happening

2 of 3

noun

ˈhap-niŋ 

1

as in experience

an exciting or noteworthy event that one experiences firsthand

the President's visit to the school was a real happening for teachers and students alike

Synonyms & Similar Words

• experience
• adventure
• time
• ordeal
• doing
• exploit
• gest
• act
• emprise
• episode
• action
• feat
• deed
• escapade
• test
• mission
• occasion
• venture
• exploration
• performance
• risk
• lark
• ploy
• baptism
• expedition
• trial
• tribulation
• enterprise
• quest
• stunt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• drag
• bust
• downer
• bummer

2

as in event

something that happens

gave a detailed account of all the happenings of the weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• event
• thing
• incident
• circumstance
• occurrence
• episode
• occasion
• time
• affair
• accident
• experience
• phenomenon
• coincidence
• hap
• page
• news
• turning point
• adventure
• crisis
• fluke
• milestone
• landmark
• emergency
• freak
• juncture
• happenstance
• achievement
• deed
• happenchance
• feat
• exploit
• co-occurrence
• tidings
• milepost

happening

3 of 3

verb

present participle of happen

as in occurring

to take place

did anything exciting happen over the summer?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• occurring
• coming
• being
• doing
• transpiring
• passing
• happing
• coming down
• proceeding
• cooking
• going on
• coming off
• coming about
• befalling
• going down
• materializing
• arising
• coming to pass
• betiding
• chancing
• rising
• resulting
• developing
• shaping (up)
• intervening
• following
• breaking
• coming up
• springing (up)
• cropping (up)
• falling out
• turning out
• going off

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of happening

Adjective

What was once a sleepy college town next to a railroad stop is now one of the most happening cities in the state of Texas. — Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2018

In any case, these days, the most happening stuff is often happening between the floats. — NOLA.com, 1 Feb. 2018

Noun

Datskovska regularly reports on must-stream cultural happenings. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

In 2019, Marotta made another account — 50YearsAgoLive — to cover the Apollo 11 moon landing mission and other happenings from 1969. — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

What's happening now Chidester participated in a motion hearing on Friday, according to 38th Circuit court records. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Both of those players, by the way, are eligible to return to practice this week, but Campbell doesn't see that happening for either of them. — Christian Romo, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2026