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
The swim began July 26 at the spot in the water where the freighter’s journey ended, 17 miles northwest of the Whitefish Point lighthouse, which in fatal happenstance was inoperable the night of the ship’s sinking.
—
John Carlisle, Freep.com, 11 Aug. 2025
In it, Neeson is Frank Drebin Jr., the grizzled cop son of original star Frank Drebin (the incomparable late Leslie Nielsen), who also happens to be seemingly genetically predisposed to wacky happenstance in his day-to-day life.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Aug. 2025
This scientists-as-writers approach came about by happenstance, Scientific American editor Gary Stix found while researching the history of the magazine.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2025
As the old saying goes: Once is happenstance, twice a coincidence, thrice a pattern.
—Literary Hub, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
John Carlisle, Freep.com, 11 Aug. 2025
In it, Neeson is Frank Drebin Jr., the grizzled cop son of original star Frank Drebin (the incomparable late Leslie Nielsen), who also happens to be seemingly genetically predisposed to wacky happenstance in his day-to-day life.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Aug. 2025
This scientists-as-writers approach came about by happenstance, Scientific American editor Gary Stix found while researching the history of the magazine.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2025
As the old saying goes: Once is happenstance, twice a coincidence, thrice a pattern.
—Literary Hub, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happenstance
Noun
-
Given Hughes’ contractual status, that’s not a coincidence.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Howard and Yan Wang are not married or related, and simply share a last name by coincidence, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But could circumstances lead to the Dodgers using Ohtani sooner?—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
4 Oct. 2025
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She's also found ways for students to help in tragic circumstances before.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Happenstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happenstance. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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