happens (on or upon)

verb

present tense third-person singular of happen (on or upon)
as in finds
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance happened on the filming of a movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for happens (on or upon)
  1. finds
  2. encounters
Verb
  • Ormund, who has spent the entirety of the battle looking for Ulf, finally finds the dragonseed passed out in the latrine after a morning spent in Lord Footly’s kitchen getting drunk on the Footly stores of ale.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • In Helaena’s room, Rhaenyra finds a tapestry Helaena had just finished sewing that predicts a dark and fiery end for Rhaenyra in the future.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of finds
Verb
  • The story turns Hishem, on a customs officer on the Algerian-Tunisian border, who encounters Tesla, a donkey lost in the desert with headphones over his ears, with a bag of cocaine on his back.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The strongest plan is not the one that never encounters disruption.
    — Kristin Vance Richards, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of encounters
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.

Browse Nearby Words

happens (by)
happens (on or upon)
happenstance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Happens (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happens%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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