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
  • Gwayne packs his things and leaves the host as Criston gives his rallying speech, as Daemon finds the grotesque banquet, as Alicent and her daughter are plunged into terrible darkness.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Edwards is quick to drive after facing up against her defender, even when the spacing around her isn’t exactly pristine; none of the Connecticut guards really give the defense a reason to stay home, but Edwards still finds a way to the basket.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of finds
Verb
  • The film tells the story of Rita (Coon), a woman in midlife haunted by the weight of her past, encounters magnetic young spiritual leader Ricki (James) and leaves her family to follow her to an all-female commune.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 July 2026
  • Bar Tab Taran Dugal encounters spirits steps from Green-Wood Cemetery.
    — Marina Harss, New Yorker, 10 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
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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 22 Jul. 2026.

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