1
as in fashionable
being in the latest or current fashion
those are some happening duds, man
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
the downtown theater district is a happening place this autumn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in event
something that happens
gave a detailed account of all the happenings of the weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in occurring
to take place
did anything exciting happen over the summer?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of happening
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
Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
The likelihood of this happening is troublingly high.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
That’s a really powerful moment that’s hard to imagine happening now.
—Grace Byron, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
This spot is popular for its specialty margaritas and dishes like Southwestern-style egg rolls, and even has a live web camera of Main Street streaming 24/7 for those curious about Mackinac Island’s happenings.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
The likelihood of this happening is troublingly high.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Verb
As with the several recent past games in this Knicks’ electrifying playoff run, the NYPD established a frozen zone around Madison Square Garden, where fans thronged around massive screens streaming the game happening in San Antonio, Texas.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
That’s a really powerful moment that’s hard to imagine happening now.
—Grace Byron, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for happening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happening
Adjective
-
This year’s Royal Ascot is officially underway in England, and the royal family's latest addition—Harriet Sperling—gave a fashionable nod to Kate Middleton with her light blue ensemble.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
16 June 2026
-
The costumes are more fantastical than grittily realistic as well, with a hip Steampunk vibe that’s more fashionable than purely Victorian.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
The device will completely block the ear canal and cause a low buzzing noise that makes drifting off hard.—
Liana Handler
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
Hudson Square is a thriving and buzzing creative hub–and the Dominick’s Street Art Search is designed so their guests could experience exactly that.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
As a result, many once-popular design choices are beginning to feel dated.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
14 June 2026
-
The plane is a single-engine turboprop model that's popular for skydiving but has also proven useful for other uses, including cargo, aerial surveying, and medical evacuation flights.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Sports features prominently across day one, with JioStar sports and live experiences CEO Ishan Chatterjee examining sport as a platform for fandom, AI and commerce, followed by ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta on cricket’s global expansion and La Liga president Javier Tebas on fan engagement and enforcement.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 June 2026
-
Siebel Newsom has said their experiences of bullying and remote schooling during the pandemic informed her views on restricting kids’ access to social media and the impacts of artificial intelligence on children’s mental health.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
As one of Montana’s longest standing dude ranches, the property is constantly reimagining through refined design, a wildly impressive staff, and heaps of annual events bringing loads of travelers, from local to first-time ranchers alike.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
-
The lawsuit claims that, in letters sent in April, the school district reported investigating the incidents and substantiating the events.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2026
-
Bill Essayli’s actions conflict with formal Justice Department guidance which says federal prosecutors should not publicly weigh in on allegations of election fraud while an election count is still occurring.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
Beren has achived high ratings from customers since moving into a stylish dining room that was formerly a vegetarian fine-dining restaurant.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
-
Baby blue is tranquil and stylish—but just offbeat enough to be interesting.—
Elle Turner,
Glamour,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
These would be my nap companions, a busy hive of bees whose entrance was out the side of the cottage.—
Christine Sarkis,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
-
While guests can still order from their full beer menu, KC Bier said guests should expect a limited menu of food for matches during the brewery’s busiest hours, like on weekends.—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Happening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happening. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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