occur

verb

ə-ˈkər How to pronounce occur (audio)
Definition of occurnext
as in to happen
to take place let me know when the lunar eclipse is scheduled to occur

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 occur But the earthquake in Colombia occurred at a depth of 110 kilometers — at least 10 times deeper than any caused by humans, Van der Lee noted. — Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 Southern California Edison says that Public Safety Power Shutoffs could occur more frequently, impact more customers and last longer than usual in 2026 due to rising fire risk. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 The situation prompted many of you to ask why this was occurring and whether or not a crash was imminent. — Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 The challenge, however, is determining when and to what extent those changes occurred because of AI. — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for occur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for occur
happen
Verb
  • Confession, but questions remain Precisely what happened after Berezovska, Reut and Zhykovych met by the highway is unclear — each of the two men have given their own version of the story.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The tinted windows looked out onto the courts where Richardson trained some of the best young female players in the Rio Grande Valley, but the glass was one-way, and from outside, nothing that happened in the room was visible.
    — Molly Hensley-Clancy, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of happen

Phrases Containing occur

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occupying
occur
occurred
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Cite this Entry

“Occur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/occur. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of occur for Spanish Speakers

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