as in coincidence
formal + literary
something that happens by chance
Our meeting was pure happenstance. We met each other by happenstance.
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Recent Examples of happenstance
That wasn’t just happenstance, either.
—
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Its beginning, however, was somewhat happenstance.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The 30-year-olds met by happenstance when Michel was moved to Basobas’ floor at LPL Financial.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2026
Others learned only by happenstance.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Its beginning, however, was somewhat happenstance.
—Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The 30-year-olds met by happenstance when Michel was moved to Basobas’ floor at LPL Financial.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2026
Others learned only by happenstance.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happenstance
Noun
-
Weird coincidence, or do the machines just have it out for fragile transit infrastructure?—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The choice to stage the comeback performance in front of Gwanghwamun, the main gate and historic entryway to Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace, was no coincidence — as the new album is in many ways a meditation on the group’s ethnic identity.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As a result, his cell was never considered a possible crime scene that would, under normal circumstances, be examined by experienced criminal and forensic experts who would take fingerprints, blood samples and other evidence.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
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While starter home districts would circumvent communities’ larger lot restrictions, that very fact would seem to generally restrict their voluntary adoption in those circumstances.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Happenstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happenstance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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