befell
bi-ˈfel 
bē-
; befallen
bi-ˈfȯ-lən
bē-
: to happen especially as if by fate
: to happen to
the fate that befell them
Synonyms
Examples of befall in a Sentence
It's sad to think of the unhappy fate that befell him.
The drought was only one of many hardships to befall the small country.
Recent Examples on the Web
Recent retirements of stalwarts Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz and Sam Mewis, and injuries that have befallen aging stars including Christen Press, Kelley O’Hara, Tobin Heath and Becky Sauerbrunn, have led to a youth movement.
—
Molly Geary, Sportico.com, 26 June 2024
Anne’s injury is the latest in a string of health issues to befall the Royal Family this year.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 24 June 2024
The benefits of third places If one of the many crises that befall our society is loneliness, third places offer a solution.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 7 May 2024
Much has been made of the fate that befalls large sporting arenas after the Olympics are over.
—Justin Klawans, The Week Us, theweek, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for befall 
Molly Geary, Sportico.com, 26 June 2024
Anne’s injury is the latest in a string of health issues to befall the Royal Family this year.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 24 June 2024
The benefits of third places If one of the many crises that befall our society is loneliness, third places offer a solution.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 7 May 2024
Much has been made of the fate that befalls large sporting arenas after the Olympics are over.
—Justin Klawans, The Week Us, theweek, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for befall
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'befall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to befall
Dictionary Entries Near befall
Cite this Entry
“Befall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/befall. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share