as in happened
to take place
let me know when the lunar eclipse is scheduled to occur
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of occurred
Additionally, some African cultural and religious practices involved central objects that were sticks or trees, or occurred in natural spaces such as the woods.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Vance said accusations of racial profiling are concerning, but said there needs to be more fact-finding if the incident actually occurred.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
The intersection where the crash occurred was closed for several hours, police said.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The Year of the Fire Horse last occurred in 1966 and won’t return until 2086.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Phase One encountered setbacks due to Hamas not handing over the final deceased hostage and the Israeli airstrikes that occurred after the cease-fire came into effect in October.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
This setback occurred alongside statewide cuts that eliminated more than $32 million in arts and cultural funding.
—Geo Darder, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
One of Pakistan’s deadliest industrial disasters occurred in 2012, when a garment factory fire killed at least 260 people.
—Adil Jawad, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Cercek says data show the steepest rise in cases has occurred among 20- to 30-year-olds.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 22 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
Vance said accusations of racial profiling are concerning, but said there needs to be more fact-finding if the incident actually occurred.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
The intersection where the crash occurred was closed for several hours, police said.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The Year of the Fire Horse last occurred in 1966 and won’t return until 2086.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Phase One encountered setbacks due to Hamas not handing over the final deceased hostage and the Israeli airstrikes that occurred after the cease-fire came into effect in October.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
This setback occurred alongside statewide cuts that eliminated more than $32 million in arts and cultural funding.
—Geo Darder, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
One of Pakistan’s deadliest industrial disasters occurred in 2012, when a garment factory fire killed at least 260 people.
—Adil Jawad, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Cercek says data show the steepest rise in cases has occurred among 20- to 30-year-olds.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occurred
happened
Verb
-
Ornato and Engel, who had been in the SUV, each denied the incident happened.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The shooting happened in the parking lot of the store located at 21115 South Dixie Highway on the morning of November 6, 2025.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Occurred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occurred. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
