happens

Definition of happensnext
present tense third-person singular 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 happens The drama happens, and then life goes on. Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Little happens other than chain-smoking, costume changes and interminable shots of color-shifting strobe lighting splaying across the cast’s cheekbones. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026 But what happens when the number of applicants drops nationwide? Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 19 May 2026 This phenomenon, called polyploidy, happens when an organism has more than two sets of chromosomes stuffed into every cell - in other words, a whole genome duplication. Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 May 2026 This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026 And once that attachment is there, everything that happens later becomes much more powerful. Ben Croll, Variety, 19 May 2026 Huge swaths of what happens in regulated financial markets today should be happening over there. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 19 May 2026 While that happens, Covert expects growing pains. Mark Dee may 19, Idaho Statesman, 19 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happens
Verb
  • Person-to-person spread occurs via contact with bodily fluids and symptoms can develop between two and 21 days—though most often eight to 10 days—after an exposure.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
  • Instead of teaching founders how to pitch investors, education should focus on the process to find the strategic fit and skills to scale operations before dilution occurs or to avoid VC entirely.
    Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • But there is still interest in games not involving the best available teams.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), there is no residency requirement to file a lawsuit challenging a project’s environmental review.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • The move comes amid fragile ceasefire violations, escalating rhetoric and shifting deadlines, with Washington and Tehran trading fire last week while talks stall over Iran’s nuclear program and regional security.
    Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
  • Kami Rita's record-breaking climb comes 32 years after his first climb in 1994.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • To promote the album, Rashad’s team scheduled events not only in Los Angeles and New York but also in Dallas and San Diego—not traditionally strong hip-hop markets, but places where Rashad does especially well.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
  • The national debt has surpassed the GDP, Social Security and Medicare face looming financial crises, inflation is rising, families are struggling — and yet Congress does nothing.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2026

Cite this Entry

“Happens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happens. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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