as in coincidence
formal + literary
something that happens by chance
Our meeting was pure happenstance. We met each other by happenstance.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of happenstance
The cut gained notoriety at the time of its release as well as commercial success, and it was revived decades later by happenstance.
—
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
By happenstance, Christy had shared a cell with Kurt Lidtke, a disgraced art dealer whom the FBI said was imprisoned for selling his clients’ works without paying them proceeds.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025
Both researchers emphasize that scientists don’t know nearly enough about K2-18 b to determine whether any dimethyl sulfide found in its atmosphere was produced by living organisms—or by abiotic happenstance of the kind that led to their own observations.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
On this topic, other uses dug up some of these pictures that were less than well-reviewed:
The rationale here, on some level at least, appears to be trying to discount him winning Best Actor as more of a piece of happenstance, rather than consistent talent.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
By happenstance, Christy had shared a cell with Kurt Lidtke, a disgraced art dealer whom the FBI said was imprisoned for selling his clients’ works without paying them proceeds.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025
Both researchers emphasize that scientists don’t know nearly enough about K2-18 b to determine whether any dimethyl sulfide found in its atmosphere was produced by living organisms—or by abiotic happenstance of the kind that led to their own observations.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
On this topic, other uses dug up some of these pictures that were less than well-reviewed:
The rationale here, on some level at least, appears to be trying to discount him winning Best Actor as more of a piece of happenstance, rather than consistent talent.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happenstance
Noun
-
Some of the recurring elements at this year’s Cannes Film Festival were coincidences, like the many scenes in which women angrily masturbated, or children bulled one of their own, or a house became a portal into generations of family history.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
27 May 2025
-
Instead, the characters keep finding themselves in implausibly dangerous situations, where a procession of coincidences might lead to them getting squished, impaled, or otherwise maimed.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
The circumstances illuminate a pressing issue in award campaigning: the lack of rigorous oversight in category placement.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
28 May 2025
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And, while the circumstances of this stranding are unusual, cetacean strandings in general are a relatively common occurrence.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Happenstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happenstance. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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