as in to happen
to take place
whatever befalls, we'll make the best of it and carry on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 befall
The sentences were light compared with what would befall Timothy Leary.
—
Susannah Cahalan, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
What happened with Nightmare Alley is close to what befell La La Land director Damien Chazelle’s quick-turn follow-up, the Ryan Gosling-led Neil Armstrong biopic, First Man.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
Not only is the kingdom still recovering from the war, a strange sickness has befallen the king.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
All of them will have to show up for USC to avoid the same fate that befell the Trojans last season.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for befall
Susannah Cahalan, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
What happened with Nightmare Alley is close to what befell La La Land director Damien Chazelle’s quick-turn follow-up, the Ryan Gosling-led Neil Armstrong biopic, First Man.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
Not only is the kingdom still recovering from the war, a strange sickness has befallen the king.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
All of them will have to show up for USC to avoid the same fate that befell the Trojans last season.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for befall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befall
Verb
-
Don’t miss what’s happening People on X are the first to know. Don’t miss what’s happening People on X are the first to know.—
X (formerly Twitter),
X (formerly Twitter),
30 May 2025
-
When girls are given the resources to overcome obstacles, amazing things start to happen: poverty goes down, economies grow, families get stronger, babies are born healthier and the world, by all accounts, gets better.—
Marianne Schnall,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
-
That leaves a massive 90% of purchase volume still occurring in-store—an opportunity that many retail media strategies don’t fully capitalize on.—
Lindsey Mazza,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Befall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befall. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share