as in happened
to take place
whatever befalls, we'll make the best of it and carry on
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of befallen
Consider what has befallen them in the 11 centuries since Hungarian tribes moved into the Carpathian Basin, in 896.
—
Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
That exact same scenario has befallen Pool B of the WBC, except it’s turned everyone into mathematicians heading into the finale.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Our hearts are heavy, and we are deeply stricken by this tragedy that has befallen one of our own.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 25 Jan. 2026
Our hearts are heavy, and we are deeply stricken by this tragedy that has befallen one of our own.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
There's a mysterious little girl (Caoilinn Springall) on the station with him, and 2) her only hope for survival is the Aether, a distant spaceship that's returning to Earth unaware of the fate that's befallen it.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
A little more than a week after the franchise and general manager Chris Grier mutually parted ways, a similar fate has befallen co-directors of player personnel Adam Engroff and Anthony Hunt, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
—Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
This is far from the only injury that has befallen the Buccaneers' receiving corps this year.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
The Los Angeles Film School paid $1 million to resolve a federal audit in 2020, but avoided the stiffer penalties that have befallen other for-profit colleges accused of fraud.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
That exact same scenario has befallen Pool B of the WBC, except it’s turned everyone into mathematicians heading into the finale.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Our hearts are heavy, and we are deeply stricken by this tragedy that has befallen one of our own.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 25 Jan. 2026
Our hearts are heavy, and we are deeply stricken by this tragedy that has befallen one of our own.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
There's a mysterious little girl (Caoilinn Springall) on the station with him, and 2) her only hope for survival is the Aether, a distant spaceship that's returning to Earth unaware of the fate that's befallen it.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025
A little more than a week after the franchise and general manager Chris Grier mutually parted ways, a similar fate has befallen co-directors of player personnel Adam Engroff and Anthony Hunt, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
—Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2025
This is far from the only injury that has befallen the Buccaneers' receiving corps this year.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
The Los Angeles Film School paid $1 million to resolve a federal audit in 2020, but avoided the stiffer penalties that have befallen other for-profit colleges accused of fraud.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befallen
Verb
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The same thing happened with Simply Grand Kitchen and Creamery, which is directly next door to Dunn Deal.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
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If two Republican state senators had voted differently and done right by the people, a massive and legally dubious redrawing of Florida congressional districts would never have happened.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Bills have done some homework on him in the pre-draft process and need a long-term punter.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Kikuchi didn’t even give up a hit in any of his other four innings, but the damage had been done.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The commission also sent its findings to the Kane County state’s attorney, the Chicago Police Department and police departments in towns where other major immigration enforcement actions occurred, including Elgin, Franklin Park and Evanston, Pritzker said.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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Tap to unmute An error occurred.—
Steven Rosenbaum,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Befallen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befallen. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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