What is another word for befall?

Pronunciation: [bɪfˈɔːl] (IPA)

Befall is a verb that means to happen or occur often in an unexpected or unfortunate way. There are several synonyms for the word befell such as happen, occur, transpire, take place, come about, come to pass, materialize, arise, unfold, develop, befallen and come upon. Each of these words signifies a chance or a turn of events that occur either suddenly or gradually, without any uniting force or reason. Regardless of the synonym used, the main purpose is to bring out the same meaning and context in different ways to offer diversity in writing style, articulacy, and fluency.

Synonyms for Befall:

What are the hypernyms for Befall?

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that encompasses more specific words called hyponyms.

What are the opposite words for befall?

The word "befall" means to happen or occur, usually in an unexpected or negative way. Antonyms for this word would be words that suggest the opposite, such as avert, avoid, or prevent. If you want to prevent something from happening, you can take measures to stop it before it occurs. Averting a situation means to steer it away from a potentially negative outcome. Avoiding a situation means to stay away from it altogether. These antonyms for "befall" all suggest a sense of control and proactivity in preventing negative situations from happening, whereas "befall" implies a sense of helplessness or lack of control.

What are the antonyms for Befall?

  • v.

    happen to; take place

Usage examples for Befall

So something similar might befall her.
"In Desert and Wilderness"
Henryk Sienkiewicz
And though evil befall, or good, This hunger is given to me, And is now made known to you,- For I must die, Or you must die, Or Desire must die This night!
"Open Water"
Arthur Stringer
This lowering of the opinions of the labouring class with respect to the mode in which they should live is perhaps the most serious of all the evils that can befall them....
"Contemporary Socialism"
John Rae

Famous quotes with Befall

  • What shall befall me in the pursuance of this work, I refer to the disposal of Almighty God, whose glory is dearer to me, not only than my liberty, but than my life.
    John Biddle
  • I have no name: I am but two days old. What shall I call thee? I happy am, Joy is my name. Sweet joy befall thee!
    William Blake
  • No worse fate can befall a young man or woman than becoming prematurely entrenched in prudence and negation.
    Knut Hamsun
  • Few misfortunes can befall a boy which bring worse consequence than to have a really affectionate mother.
    W. Somerset Maugham
  • It was our view of the worst that could befall our people if they were taken captive. So, what was fascinating to me was that somehow it appears the techniques that we have feared most in the world would be used on our people, we are using on people in our custody.
    Jane Mayer

Related words: befallen meaning, befall history, befall definition, befalling definition, befault meaning, what does befall mean, to befall definition, to happen

Related questions:

  • What does befall mean?
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