befalling

verb

present participle of befall
as in happening
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 befalling Bad luck befalling one rival is probable in this league. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 1 June 2026 Our leaders owe it to all of us to do their utmost to prevent this fate from befalling anyone else. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026 The problem befalling many a meatball sub is the roll. — Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026 Achilles ruptures also decimated the 2025 NBA playoffs, befalling stars such as Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and then-Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard, who now plays for the Portland Trail Blazers. — Matt Villano, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025 But researchers can advance the potential for new and beneficial drugs while legislators help prevent such tragedies from befalling other families. — David Kroll, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befalling
  1. happening
  2. occurring
Verb
  • Don’t expect cinematic mega-floods or massive storms happening simultaneously all around the world every day for the next year.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • This adoption is happening while the American open-weight bench thins out.
    — Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of happening
Verb
  • Smoke from the #WoodsideFire is expected to continue to flow into the North Bay valleys with the peak transport occurring in the afternoon and evening hours.
    — Tim Fang, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Crime has been down considerably across the city this year, despite several high-profile events occurring in recent months.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of occurring

Browse Nearby Words

befallen
befalling
befalls
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Cite this Entry

“Befalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befalling. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on befalling

Nglish: Translation of befalling for Spanish Speakers

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