emerge

verb

i-ˈmərj 

emerged; emerging

intransitive verb

1

: to become manifest : become known

new problems emerged

2

: to rise from or as if from an enveloping fluid : come out into view

a diver emerging from the water

3

: to rise from an obscure or inferior position or condition

someone must emerge as a leader

4

: to come into being through evolution

Synonyms of emerge

• arise
• surface
• appear
• happen
• occur

Examples of emerge in a Sentence

The facts emerged after a lengthy investigation.

Several possible candidates have emerged.

She has emerged as a leading contender in the field.

His war record has emerged as a key issue in the election.

when land first emerged from the sea

The cat emerged from its hiding place behind the couch.

animals emerging from a long period of inactivity

Recent Examples on the Web

And yet, new facets of her work are still emerging. —Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

On the women's side, Bianca Belair and Ripley are emerging as logical winners in early prediction pieces, though neither path is certain. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

The shooting intensifies as a person emerges from the driver’s seat of the police vehicle and runs a few dozen yards away before collapsing. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026

Critics speak out Voices critical of the lawsuit quickly emerged. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin emergere, from e- + mergere to plunge — more at merge

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing emerge

• emerge the victor
• emerge victorious
• re-emerge

Rhymes for emerge

• converge
• diverge
• submerge
• upsurge
• demiurge
• dirge
• merge
• purge
• scourge
• serge
• splurge
• spurge

Kids Definition

emerge

verb

i-ˈmərj 

emerged; emerging

1

: to become known or apparent

the facts emerged

2

: to rise from or as if from a fluid : come out into view