example vs happening

example and happening both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
example	Yes	No	No	No
happening	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, happening is a hypernym of example; that is, happening is a word with a broader meaning than example:

Other hypernyms of example include natural event, occurrence, occurrent.

example (noun)	happening (noun)
a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding	an event that happens
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
something to be imitated
a representative form or pattern
punishment intended as a warning to others
an occurrence of something