supervene

[soo-per-veen]

verb (used without object)

supervened, supervening 

1. to take place or occur as something additional or extraneous (sometimes followed by on orupon ).

2. to ensue.

supervene

/ ˌsuːpəˈviːn, ˌsuːpəˈvɛnʃən /

verb

1. to follow closely; ensue

2. to occur as an unexpected or extraneous development

Other Word Forms

• supervenience noun
• supervention noun
• supervenient adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of supervene¹

1640–50; < Latin supervenīre, equivalent to super- super- + venīre to come

Word History and Origins

Origin of supervene¹

C17: from Latin supervenīre to come upon, from _super- + venīre to come

Example Sentences

They “supervene” on physical phenomena, as philosophers say, but are not reducible to them.

Read more on Scientific American

“It is incumbent upon the SEC to evaluate the terms and conditions of said alleged supervening donation … whether the same has the effect of mitigating, if not curing, the violation it found,” the court said.

Read more on Washington Times

Amazon’s lawyers wrote that working with Allen had become impractical because of “supervening events” — talent wouldn’t associate with him, “renewed allegations” had risen against him, and the director’s own “controversial comments” were an issue.

Read more on The Verge

“Indeed, the attorney general’s job, at times, is to tell the president ‘no’ because of the supervening demands of the law,” Starr wrote.

Read more on Salon

Indeed, the attorney general’s job, at times, is to tell the president “no” because of the supervening demands of the law.

Read more on Washington Post