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
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 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
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 24 May 2025
Viewers got a glimpse of the leisure happenings of a professor amid her bout with balancing academia, reality television and simply her authentic life.
—Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 20 May 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
This, in effect, frames even the movie’s unrelated, apolitical happenings as being at the mercy of this dangerous future, backed by Western powers.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 24 May 2025
Viewers got a glimpse of the leisure happenings of a professor amid her bout with balancing academia, reality television and simply her authentic life.
—Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 20 May 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
-
Enjoy thrilling matches, strawberries and cream, Lanson fizz, fashionable outfits, celebrity spotting, and the all-round fun atmosphere that the tournament brings.—
Felicity Carter,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
-
The Flower girls, dressed in bright costumes of fashionable gardening gear and props, danced to popular music.—
Yvette Walker,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
With breathable material, quick-drying abilities, and moisture-wicking properties, these cooling bed sheets have become popular with Amazon shoppers.—
Shalwah Evans,
People.com,
1 June 2025
-
Often overlooked by its more popular neighboring regions in Spain, Extremadura offers a tranquil getaway that goes beyond the typical tourist trail.—
Carlsen Jes,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
One celebrity or influencer’s experience is not a blueprint for your own life.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
-
Tolokonnikova’s performance is born from hard, personal experience.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Parades; live entertainment; food, drink and merchandise vendors; community resources; and family-friendly activities are central to all of these events.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
-
The International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), one of the oldest and most prestigious annual global spirit judging events, just released the results for their 2025 event.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
2 June 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
-
Fortunately, Amazon is overflowing with affordable, stylish, and cooling linen pants that will instantly upgrade your most casual outfits while keeping you comfy, regardless of the temperature.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2025
-
During summer, the options are limited to a few core fabrics that don’t retain heat and look stylish for the season: linen, seersucker and tropical wool.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
In the summer, people here are too busy enjoying themselves—drinking on patios, reading languorous books, stretching weekends in Crystal Beach or Sherkston out over three, four, five days—to do much of any importance.—
Aidan Ryan
June 4,
Literary Hub,
4 June 2025
-
But given her busy schedule, Burke said, it’s been a hard date to nail down.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
4 June 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.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
-
The linen-blend pants have become a shopper favorite, and more than 1,000 of them were purchased this month, according to Amazon.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Happening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happening. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share