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
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
Roberts followed with a touching story about meeting Universal’s Sid Sheinberg in 1993 by happenstance with a friend who needed to drop by Sheinberg’s house.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 27 June 2025
Jin, catching the fervor behind the formulas, coaxes her to speak from the heart about architecture—in a scene that emphasizes the momentous happenstance of their meeting.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
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
Roberts followed with a touching story about meeting Universal’s Sid Sheinberg in 1993 by happenstance with a friend who needed to drop by Sheinberg’s house.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 27 June 2025
Jin, catching the fervor behind the formulas, coaxes her to speak from the heart about architecture—in a scene that emphasizes the momentous happenstance of their meeting.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happenstance
Noun
-
However, the timing of Tuesday's outing is no coincidence.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
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Advertisement This sudden increase in unemployment and financial worry among Black women is not a coincidence.—
Marianne Cooper,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Jones asserted that exigent circumstances warranted the shortening of the 15-day notice window.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Happenstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happenstance. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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