verb
- past tense of befall; happened to someone, especially something bad or unfortunate
Usage: formal; literary
Examples
- A terrible fate befell the ancient city.
- She wondered what had befell her missing brother.
- Great misfortune befell the family that winter.
- The same tragedy befell both villages.
- No harm befell the travelers on their journey.
- A strange accident befell him on the way home.