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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of happenstance
The cut gained notoriety at the time of its release as well as commercial success, and it was revived decades later by happenstance.
—
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
By happenstance, Christy had shared a cell with Kurt Lidtke, a disgraced art dealer whom the FBI said was imprisoned for selling his clients’ works without paying them proceeds.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025
Both researchers emphasize that scientists don’t know nearly enough about K2-18 b to determine whether any dimethyl sulfide found in its atmosphere was produced by living organisms—or by abiotic happenstance of the kind that led to their own observations.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
On this topic, other uses dug up some of these pictures that were less than well-reviewed:
The rationale here, on some level at least, appears to be trying to discount him winning Best Actor as more of a piece of happenstance, rather than consistent talent.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
By happenstance, Christy had shared a cell with Kurt Lidtke, a disgraced art dealer whom the FBI said was imprisoned for selling his clients’ works without paying them proceeds.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025
Both researchers emphasize that scientists don’t know nearly enough about K2-18 b to determine whether any dimethyl sulfide found in its atmosphere was produced by living organisms—or by abiotic happenstance of the kind that led to their own observations.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
On this topic, other uses dug up some of these pictures that were less than well-reviewed:
The rationale here, on some level at least, appears to be trying to discount him winning Best Actor as more of a piece of happenstance, rather than consistent talent.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happenstance
Noun
-
These early moves are no coincidence: Madrid is very interested in this new-look Club World Cup, for footballing, prestige and economic reasons.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
-
That Adam suffers chronic constipation and Benjamin has diarrhea-inducing colitis is no medical coincidence but one of several predictable signs that, well, something’s gonna hit the fan.—
Gary Goldstein,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Arbitration ordinarily arises in circumstances where the parties are in an employment or consumer relationship.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2025
-
The pooch, who got a new lease on life after he was rescued from dire circumstances, became social media famous after Klee documented his journey on TikTok, with some of the videos garnering millions of views.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Happenstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happenstance. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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