as in occurs
to take place
did anything exciting happen over the summer?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of happens
The real action happens outside of the courtroom—at the Cairo Club, or the bar at the Lafayette Hotel, or F&M Patio Bar—where the heat and the music and the drinks have a way of bringing Lemann back to herself.
—
Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Check-in happens in the room which makes everyone's life easier.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Arguably, not much happens onstage, in real-time.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Lane is a good-sized winger with some real puck skill, scoring touch, smarts, a level of physicality and competitiveness that puts him in the mix of everything that happens on the ice.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
What happens then, when the Ohio data center turns on its nighttime lights?
—Arik Levinson, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
And serialization is a glorious, wonderful thing that happens automatically to a show that people love.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
What happens in those hours can linger after Price leaves.
—Derek James, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
But, for now, some leaders remain worried about what happens next.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Check-in happens in the room which makes everyone's life easier.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
Arguably, not much happens onstage, in real-time.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Lane is a good-sized winger with some real puck skill, scoring touch, smarts, a level of physicality and competitiveness that puts him in the mix of everything that happens on the ice.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
What happens then, when the Ohio data center turns on its nighttime lights?
—Arik Levinson, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
And serialization is a glorious, wonderful thing that happens automatically to a show that people love.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
What happens in those hours can linger after Price leaves.
—Derek James, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
But, for now, some leaders remain worried about what happens next.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happens
Verb
-
The most significant loss of neurons occurs in an area of the brainstem called the substantia nigra, according to NINDS.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While there is nothing wrong with taking inspiration from fashion icons, finding your signature aesthetic requires a touch of introspection.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The spa There is no spa, but there is a charming pool area with green-and-white striped chaise lounges and grass-green sun umbrellas.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The decrease in approvals for citizenship comes amid fluctuations in those applying to naturalize.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Failure to do so comes with a fine of up to $32.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Unfortunately, their upstairs neighbors are about to arrive for dinner, and everything that can go wrong does.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Like really bad attitude, but also does some unspeakably bad things in this story.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Happens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happens. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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