happenstance

[ hap-uh n-stans ]

/ ˈhæp ənˌstæns /

a chance happening or event.

Origin of happenstance

First recorded in 1895–1900; happen + (circum)stance

All of these differences add up to make each planet unique, a product of happenstance and history.

The Best Map of Mars Yet |Matthew R. Francis |July 20, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The success that followed 16 years later was a matter of happenstance, not of strategy.

Fool's Gold |David Frum |February 13, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
This is contrasted to happenstance decision making based on impulsiveness and wishful thinking.

Sequential Problem Solving |Fredric Lozo
The German was just a happenstance, a castaway in the war for Arzachel.

First on the Moon |Jeff Sutton

As for deceased, his ontimely evaporation that a-way is but the frootes of happenstance.

Faro Nell and Her Friends |Alfred Henry Lewis
But the happenstance habits of nature were steadily being integrated into the control program of man.

The Thirst Quenchers |Rick Raphael
Out of the chaos of happenstance they were finding rules of order, certain formulas of behavior, equations of force.

Empire |Clifford Donald Simak

happenstance

/ (ˈhæpənˌstæns) /

chance

a chance occurrence