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 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 And as that happens, financing and scale begin to matter more than owning the frontier model itself. — Amit Joshi, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 The 50-part social thriller follows what happens when the public reaches a verdict on a suspicious death long before investigators do. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 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 For Woodie, however, what happens after the preseason predictions is what matters. — Miami Herald, 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 When this happens, both the quantity and quality of productions are affected. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026 What happens there remains to be seen but, even if the EFL sees off that legal threat, this is far from the end of the organisation’s work on financial regulations — especially in the bottom two divisions. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happens
  1. occurs
  2. is
  3. comes
  4. does
Verb
  • Heatstroke occurs when the body’s natural cooling system fails and core temperatures climb to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
    — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026
  • State law bars using the fund for anything other than workers’ comp claims and costs, and while DIR calls the practice standard and says reimbursement occurs, the department has declined to demonstrate it.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of occurs
Verb
  • The goal is to keep more legal work in-house and use outside counsel only when there is a specific reason to do so.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In a recent letter to the communities, CMS didn’t make any promises about a last-minute rescue and warned prices might be higher if there is an emergency allocation.
    — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of is
Verb
  • While many viewers praise the former child star as the beating heart of the series, her newfound success comes with heightened tabloid scrutiny, thecoverage wading into everything from her looks to her love life.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The service Professionalism comes with genuine warmth, cheerfulness, and a sense of people absolutely loving their jobs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of comes
Verb
  • So does Kevin Reddington, the formidable defense attorney who is representing Clancy in her criminal trial, taking place in Plymouth, which is being live-streamed on the Internet and heavily covered on local news.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Since the coupon amounts cannot change, the instrument that does is the bill, a Treasury security that matures in a year or less.
    — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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