happenstance
noun
hap·pen·stance
ˈha-pən-ˌstan(t)s 
ˈha-pᵊm-
: a circumstance especially that is due to chance
They came together by mere happenstance.
happenstance
adjective
Examples of happenstance in a Sentence
Our meeting was pure happenstance.
We met each other by happenstance.
It was an agreeable happenstance that we met.
Recent Examples on the Web
The discovery came by happenstance, as the astronomers were looking for a background galaxy but instead found the individual stars, according to Fengwu Sun, a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Astrophysics and co-author of the study.
—
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Shows with hazy futures nominated in the drama category
Because of both happenstance and the dual strikes, the drama category is so very strange this year.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 17 July 2024
Scientists have uncovered the existence of a binary star system close to the black hole near the center of the Milky Way galaxy, confirming a hypothesis made by happenstance nearly a century ago, according to a paper published in Nature Communications on Wednesday.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 Dec. 2024
Yet, because of the happenstance that Penny is white and Neely was black, Bragg decided that social justice demanded a scalp, regardless of what actual justice might say about the matter.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
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Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Shows with hazy futures nominated in the drama category
Because of both happenstance and the dual strikes, the drama category is so very strange this year.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 17 July 2024
Scientists have uncovered the existence of a binary star system close to the black hole near the center of the Milky Way galaxy, confirming a hypothesis made by happenstance nearly a century ago, according to a paper published in Nature Communications on Wednesday.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 Dec. 2024
Yet, because of the happenstance that Penny is white and Neely was black, Bragg decided that social justice demanded a scalp, regardless of what actual justice might say about the matter.
—The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for happenstance
Dictionary Entries Near happenstance
Cite this Entry
“Happenstance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/happenstance. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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