befell

past tense of befall

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 befell The song, written with Dan Wilson, isn’t just a story of the turmoil that befell the band post-2003. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026 In March, too, Nix ran through the series of fortunate-turned-unfortunate events that befell him in January. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 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 Perhaps, then, the back spasms that befell him on May 23 were a blessing. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 28 May 2026 Michael’s deal with Pepsi is part of that, and the film’s portrayal of the horrifying accident that befell him during the filming of a Pepsi commercial — a spark set his hair, and scalp, on fire — makes the trauma feel like an outgrowth of Joe’s karma. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026 The same fate, Al-Nabi added, befell the Gezira Museum in Wad Madani following the RSF’s invasion of Gezira state. — Eissa Dafallah, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026 Those two gave the Longhorns life when misfortune befell them early. — Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2026 The effort was in large part a response to the catastrophe that befell Flint, Michigan, a decade ago when dangerous levels of lead leached into the city’s water supply from old lead pipes, exposing people across the city to the toxic metal. — Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befell
Verb
  • Here’s what happened outside before the doors officially unlocked.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Had that not happened the team would have had to most likely play at Gateway Center Arena — its usual home that seats 3,500.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The earthquake's epicenter was about 1 mile south-southwest of San Ramon and occurred at a depth of 4 miles.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 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

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Cite this Entry

“Befell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befell. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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