chance (upon)

verb

Definition of chance (upon)next
1
as in to encounter
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face chanced upon my archenemy as I rounded a corner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to find
to come upon unexpectedly or by chance I chanced upon your mother in the grocery store yesterday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chance (upon)
  1. encounter
  2. find
  3. meet
Verb
  • Murray hopes to connect with young people who encounter negativity on social media.
    — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • On September 9, 1947, the Harvard Mark II, one of the earliest computers, encountered a bug.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of encounter
Verb
  • Much of that is because of Bowers, arguably the most talented tight end league-wide, but also because Mayer has found success in Kubiak’s heavy sets, and Thomas continues to provide value as a blocker.
    — Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Red walls, heavy draperies with swags and fringe, and jacquard fabrics with gold accents could be found in many homes.
    — Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of find
Verb
  • But efforts to widen the probe met resistance from others inside OpenAI, including legal advisers, according to four people familiar with the matter.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The administration didn't meet its own deadline today to publish its state-by-state lists of eligible voters.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of meet
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.

Browse Nearby Words

chances (upon)
chance (upon)
chancing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chance (upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chance%20%28upon%29. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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