happens

verb

present tense third-person singular of happen
as in occurs
to take place did anything exciting happen over the summer?

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 happens 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 When that happens, per state law, the commissioner must either close the campus or take over the district. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026 The Composer One is what happens when two aerospace engineers rethink the garbage disposal. — Nina Elder, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Whatever happens, missing the end of December target does not mean that money runs out. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 But what happens when that same system connects to your security cameras and personal information? — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 What happens next could impact thousands of residents, farmers, commercial interests and property owners. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 What happens when an ancient and meaningful practice, often rooted in sacred texts, is affected by interaction with machines? — Shay Rabineau, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026 What happens next is conveyed almost entirely through flashbacks to dinners that weren’t interesting enough to become full scenes. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happens
  1. occurs
  2. is
  3. comes
  4. does
Verb
  • Consequently, even if a down cycle occurs, it is not expected to show the same sharp decline seen in the past.
    — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
  • El Niño occurs when warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures develop in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
    — Albert Ramon, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of occurs
Verb
  • There is speculation, too, that Balenciaga, where creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli is plying his couture chops and returning the brand to its roots, might also be facing some changes.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • And with economic growth stagnating, there is no easy way out.
    — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of is
Verb
  • Sympathy comes later, unleashed in 18th-century thought through Adam Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759).
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The predominantly beige canvas comes spring loaded with pops of color, notably a sunset orange shade.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of comes
Verb
  • Not surprisingly, the legislation does nothing to curb the growth of compensation and other benefits for college presidents, athletics directors, coaches and staff who continue to be in charge of the athletes under their control.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • These days, the interjection does a lot of work online as an all-purpose signifier of derogation.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of does

Browse Nearby Words

happen (on or upon)
happens
happens (by)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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