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
By happenstance, Carver County Community Development (CDA) approached the then-nascent board of Beyond New Beginnings with an offer.
—
Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
But that mix of styles established its own happenstance logic over time.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
Schumer has opened up a number of times about her health conditions, including her happenstance Cushing syndrome diagnosis.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Why should someone be handed a second job and income for the happenstance of their family life, when my household would never get the same consideration?
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
But that mix of styles established its own happenstance logic over time.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
Schumer has opened up a number of times about her health conditions, including her happenstance Cushing syndrome diagnosis.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Why should someone be handed a second job and income for the happenstance of their family life, when my household would never get the same consideration?
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for happenstance
Cite this Entry
“Happenstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happenstance. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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