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 Is this what happens when Tamra finally douses herself in so much melatonin before filming that her fat tongue won’t move in her mouth? — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 When a big set happens, nearly everyone has just experienced it together. — Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 The settlement’s significance depends on what happens after the press releases disappear. — Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 If that happens, the franchise’s 25th season could be its first Super Bowl season. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 The failure happens upstream, in the gap between the instruction and the execution. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026 When your braking system is working optimally, much of the shock absorption happens in the larger posterior chain muscles of the back of your body — specifically your lower back, glutes, hamstrings and calves. — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 Induction happens when electromagnetic fields cause power on energized lines to jump to nearby idle equipment. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 But much of the growth in spending happens automatically, as baby boomers age into retirement, resulting in higher costs for Social Security and Medicare. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happens
  1. occurs
  2. is
  3. comes
  4. does
Verb
  • That model may make sense in other areas of medicine, such as orthopedics where a fracture occurs within one body.
    — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This famous line for musicians also has a deeper metaphysical element – the present moment is where transformation occurs.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of occurs
Verb
  • The highway to get there is a single-lane road for miles and miles and miles, and there’s sagebrush all around.
    — Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There is a lot riding on Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s speech here Friday morning at the Fed’s storied annual retreat in the Tetons.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of is
Verb
  • There comes a point in every woman’s life when a mid-calf floral skirt starts looking suspiciously like the best thing in your wardrobe.
    — Georgia Brown, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In addition, each figure comes with extra sets of hands and accessories related to each of the characters.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of comes
Verb
  • Here below, France’s own long-drink-of-water goalie Robin Risser does his best Beckham follow-on act with a stately Louis Vuitton carry-all with their trademark leather trim at the stress points.
    — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Fazio wants a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in schools; so does Lamont.
    — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of does

Browse Nearby Words

happen (on or upon)
happens
happens (by)
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Cite this Entry

“Happens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happens. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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