Rejoice over the good things which come to you, but grieve in moderation over the evils which befall you.
Source: tatoeba (6203064)
Befall
/bɪˈfɔl/
Synonyms for "befall" (50 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (10)
Strong matches (15)
Related words (25)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: happen, occur, be found, be met with, be realized.
- Sentence evidence is available for befall, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, wiktionary, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "befall".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "befall"
Keep "befall" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "befall" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "befall", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "befall" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
9 entriesMore specific
3 entriesCollocations
6 entriescalamity befallsdisaster befallsfamine befallsmisfortune befallsplague befallstragedy befalls
Inflections
4 entriessimilar
1 entriesSample sentences
20 total sentences available.
No harm shall befall thee.
Source: tatoeba (6211594)
The witch told the girl what work she was to do. "You must keep the house clean and tidy, sweep the floor and the fireplace; but there is one thing you must never do. You must never look up the chimney, or something bad will befall you."
Source: tatoeba (6405345)
But he said: My son shall not go down with you: his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if any mischief befall him in the land to which you go, you will bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to hell.
Source: tatoeba (7888799)
Showing 4 of 20 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "befall"?
Closest matches include happen, occur, be found, be met with, be realized.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "befall"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.