occur
Come to pass
Occur is a very near synonym of happen and, in most contexts, can be used interchangeably with it.
Occur is more formal than happen; in most situations, people do not say What occurred last night?
They use happen instead.
Occur has slightly broader coverage than happen, in that it is used to talk about both entities and events, whereas happen applies mainly to events: Scientists are cataloging the naturally occurring microorganisms inside the caves.
Occur is much more likely to be used in scientific literature than happen.
Happen or become known
- unfoldSpread open from closed
- ensueHappen afterward
- ariseCome into being
- materializeBecome physically present
emerge · surface · develop · take place · come about · befall · erupt · commence
Have actual being
- appearBecome perceptible to sight
- be presentExist at a location
- manifestClearly apparent or displayed
- featureDistinguishing quality or element
Departure from the expected
- miracleSupernatural occurrence beyond explanation
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- spectacleVisually striking event
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
aberration · singularity · marvel · oddity · peculiarity · earthquake · eclipse · aurora
transpire
Happen or become known
materialize · emerge · surface · develop · take place · come about · befall · erupt · commence · proceed
exist
Have actual being
- appearBecome perceptible to sight
- be presentExist at a location
- manifestClearly apparent or displayed
anomaly
Departure from the expected
- miracleSupernatural occurrence beyond explanation
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- spectacleVisually striking event
mystery · aberration · singularity · marvel · oddity · peculiarity · earthquake · eclipse · aurora · eruption
dawn on
Become realized by
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- hitSuccessful contact or strike
- come to mindSpontaneously be recalled
suggest itself · flash · click · register · sink in · realize · recognize · think of · remember · recall
recurring
Happening repeatedly over time
intermittent · sporadic · incessant · repeated · regular · cyclical · seasonal · continual · persistent · routine
- supernatural occurrencesEvents beyond natural explanation
- rare occurrenceInfrequent happening
- chance occurrenceUnplanned random event
- random occurrence
- repeated occurrenceInstance happening multiple times
- freak occurrenceHighly unusual event
occurrence, occurring, occurs, occurred, reoccur, occurrences, reoccurring, reoccurs, reoccurred