Befalls

Synonyms for "befalls" (3 found)

Ranked by relevance and common usage.

Closest matches (1)

Verb(1 words)
happen

Strong matches (1)

Verb(1 words)
occur

Related words (1)

Verb(1 words)
transpire

Choosing the right synonym

  • Closest matches in this entry: happen, occur, transpire.
  • Sentence evidence is available for befalls, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
  • Ranking signals come from opengloss.

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 "befalls".
  • Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.

When not to replace "befalls"

Keep "befalls" 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 "befalls" 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 "befalls", 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 "befalls" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.

Related word relations

OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.

5 relation types

More general

1 entries

More specific

4 entries

Collocations

6 entries
adversity befalls the citycalamity befallsdisaster befallsfate befalls usgreat misfortune befallsmisfortune befalls

Inflections

3 entries

Derivations

2 entries

Sample sentences

3 total sentences available.

Tatoeba + Wiktionary

My little Vasilissa, my dear daughter, listen to what I say, remember well my last words and fail not to carry out my wishes. I am dying, and with my blessing, I leave to thee this little doll. It is very precious for there is no other like it in the whole world. Carry it always about with thee in thy pocket and never show it to anyone. When evil threatens thee or sorrow befalls thee, go into a corner, take it from thy pocket and give it something to eat and drink. It will eat and drink a little, and then thou mayest tell it thy trouble and ask its advice, and it will tell thee how to act in thy time of need.

Source: tatoeba (3757229)

If you receive this mail, send it on to another 10 people within 12 hours or else bad luck befalls you.

Source: tatoeba (4641805)

"And the boy / Ascanius – lives he, or what hap befalls / his parents' darling, and their only joy? / Breathes he the vital air, whom unto thee now Troy..."

Source: tatoeba (7052327)

Common questions

What are the closest synonyms for "befalls"?

Closest matches include happen, occur, transpire.

How should I check whether a synonym fits "befalls"?

Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.

More for "befalls"

Meaning

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