as in occurs
to take place
did anything exciting happen over the summer?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 food and drink As with most of the smaller Parisian hotels, all the food and drink action happens in the same place—the property’s entrance is designed to be a comfortable lounge, bar, and breakfast area.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
If your phone heats up while running AI, imagine what happens inside a massive data center.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 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.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
When that happens, remind them that having supportive friends isn’t the same as having professional support.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Here are the questions now driving what happens next.
—Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
But the only one that gets much tougher than this is the one that happens in the NCAA Tournament, and then your season is over.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Protests and accusations and talk like this goes on all the time, and nothing ever happens.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
When this happens, visibilities frequently drop to one-quarter of a mile or less.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
If your phone heats up while running AI, imagine what happens inside a massive data center.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 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.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
When that happens, remind them that having supportive friends isn’t the same as having professional support.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
Here are the questions now driving what happens next.
—Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
But the only one that gets much tougher than this is the one that happens in the NCAA Tournament, and then your season is over.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Protests and accusations and talk like this goes on all the time, and nothing ever happens.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
When this happens, visibilities frequently drop to one-quarter of a mile or less.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happens
Verb
-
The upsurge in violence after Oseguera Cervantes’ killing occurs as some indicators in Mexico’s security situation seemed to be improving.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Sickle cell disease occurs in about one out of every 365 Black or African American births.—
Marissa Evans,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There is no clear frontrunner in the gubernatorial field.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
There is also a Zoom viewing option.—
Pomerado News,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fashion is fond of calling repetition ‘evolution,’ until the moment comes when change is unavoidable.—
Tiziana Cardini,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Dozens of massages and facials can be booked, but the best move is to book a full experience that comes complete with a treatment that complements one of the thermal village experiences.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The larger problem is not that equal time exists or does not.—
Jay Caruso,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Everyone does it differently, including your husband.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Happens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happens. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
