1
as in fashionable
being in the latest or current fashion
those are some happening duds, man
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity
the downtown theater district is a happening place this autumn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in popular
enjoying widespread favor or approval
that might be a happening outfit right now, but not on a woman who'll never see 40 again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in experience
an exciting or noteworthy event that one experiences firsthand
the President's visit to the school was a real happening for teachers and students alike
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in event
something that happens
gave a detailed account of all the happenings of the weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in occurring
to take place
did anything exciting happen over the summer?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of happening
Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, 16 Feb. 2018
In any case, these days, the most happening stuff is often happening between the floats.
—NOLA.com, 1 Feb. 2018
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker has teased big happenings in the near future, seeming to confirm a new record with his latest social media update.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 14 July 2025
Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
The most significant innovation in labor may now be happening in the shift economy—in hospitals, retail stores, and restaurants—among workers who never had the option to work from home.
—Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happening
Adjective
Waco was already a happening place before the Gaines began remodeling homes.
—Craig Hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, 16 Feb. 2018
In any case, these days, the most happening stuff is often happening between the floats.
—NOLA.com, 1 Feb. 2018
Noun
Padres home games — all 81 of them — have become a happening.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker has teased big happenings in the near future, seeming to confirm a new record with his latest social media update.
—Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 14 July 2025
Verb
As companies begin to pull back on orders, which is happening already amid the uncertainty related to overseas manufacturing costs and domestic consumer demand, lower supply will potentially serve as a force sending prices higher.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
The most significant innovation in labor may now be happening in the shift economy—in hospitals, retail stores, and restaurants—among workers who never had the option to work from home.
—Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happening
Adjective
-
Thumping techno drums roll in alongside the stabbing synth lead, which nods to the fashionable sound of the decade’s preferred flavor of techno, currently spearheaded by the likes of Charlotte de Witte and Sara Landry.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
23 July 2025
-
The Bicester Collection was among those early visionaries embedding emotion, atmosphere, and local nuance into its villages long before experiential retail became fashionable.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
In keeping with popular male balms for spiritual suffering, Turner turns to alcohol and functions as a mollusk, socially and professionally; his stoicism is an act, one his peers pick up on, and which some openly deride.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
20 July 2025
-
The village’s recently opened popular Irish bar, Teehan’s, and the next door restaurant, Durbin’s, also joined the square’s debut celebrations.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
Overall, the new-gen Joy-Cons are solid improvements over the last, refining the play experience for Nintendo's latest hardware.—
Matt Kamen,
Wired News,
20 July 2025
-
The experience is worth it The Puerto Rican economy, historically tied to the ups and downs of the U.S. economy, rarely grows on its own.—
Wilson Santiago Burgos,
USA Today,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
At the end of the day, Brown and the event participants and attendees agreed the summit was a success.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
The Tennessean,
21 July 2025
-
Crashing out can stem from big or small stressors, and are likely to occur in those who do not have developed coping skills, are under a lot of stress, or experience emotional dysregulation (being unable to control and cope with life’s negative events).—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
20 July 2025
Verb
-
For example, humpback whale songs increased dramatically over the study period, with detections occurring 34% of days at the beginning to 76% by the end.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2025
-
This article has been amended to say the protests are occurring on March 14.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
However, there is an increasingly impressive array of stylish spots that might tempt you to stay off the beachfront, like the brand-new collection of 10 villas at Trobbu Tulum, offering a luxe private experience and even the option of all-inclusive dining.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
19 July 2025
-
Based on an unfinished Jack London novel, this swinging, pre-WWI caper pairs swaggering Oliver Reed with fierce, feminist Diana Rigg for stylish '60s thrills.—
EW Staff Updated,
EW.com,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
Ever since then, it’s been sitting on the shore, beached like a shipwreck, just feet from a busy highway.—
John Carlisle,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
-
Horton said summer is always the busiest, with the program planning several events each month to combat the rise in homicides and violent crimes as the weather warms.—
Keely Doll,
The Courier-Journal,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
27 July 2025
-
Here's what to know about our favorite local barbecue spots.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Happening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happening. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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