befall

verb

bi-ˈfȯl How to pronounce befall (audio)
Definition of befallnext
as in to happen
to take place whatever befalls, we'll make the best of it and carry on

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 befall When a bad accident befalls her boyfriend (Xolo Maridueña), a confused Kylie sets off for England with a powerful spell book to try to fix things. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Now, a team of researchers may have arrived at an answer, determining the fate that would have befallen a hypothetical moon orbiting Venus. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026 By not putting out a press release or social media post announcing their Kalshi partnerships, both MLB clubs avoided the kind of embarrassing backlash that befell the New York Mets a few weeks ago. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Related Stories This week’s cancelations are the latest calamity to befall the touring production after it was forced to postpone the first leg of its tour last month. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for befall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befall
  1. happen
  2. occur
Verb
  • His big adult break happened when visiting his sister in San Francisco in 1954.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers can model what happens if copper prices increase sharply or if a newer technology becomes commercially viable years from now.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of happen
Verb
  • These functions can obscure crucial differences in how these activities are designed to reward users; a relatively small parlay wager can offer the possibility of an outsized, immediate payout if multiple outcomes occur.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The incident occurred along the 3700 block of Gardenia Avenue, where police received a call about two shots being fired in a nearby residence, Long Beach Police said in a statement.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of occur

Browse Nearby Words

beetling
befall
befallen
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Cite this Entry

“Befall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befall. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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