Synonyms of arise

intransitive verb

1
a
: to begin to occur or to exist : to come into being or to attention
Problems arise when people try to avoid responsibility.
A conflict arose because of a misunderstanding.
Questions have arisen concerning the company's financial records.
He can defend himself should the need arise. [=if it becomes necessary to do so]
b
: to originate from a source
arteries that arise from the aorta
a river that arises from two main sources
2
: to get up or stand up : rise
He arose from his chair.
especially : to get up from sleep or after lying down
He arose (from bed) refreshed after a good night's sleep.
3
: to move upward : ascend
A mist arose from the valley.
Choose the Right Synonym for arise

spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence.

spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence

originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

Examples of arise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The trial date could still be delayed by disputes over classified evidence and other complications arising from the extraordinary case. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 July 2026 For Birney, well-regarded if hardly widely known, an unexpected secondary issue has arisen as more people encounter Blue Film. David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026 The concept of bohemia arose in the 1830s in Paris, to describe the communities of writers, painters and artists, who lived outside of middle class society and conventions. Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Errant thoughts will still arise (the laundry, the email, the certainty that your opening scene is a disaster) but in a mindful state, those thoughts are observable. April Dávila, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for arise

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English ārīsan, from ā-, perfective prefix + rīsan to rise — more at abide

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of arise was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arise. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: to get up from sleep or after lying down
arising at dawn
2
a
: to begin at a source
arteries that arise from the aorta
b
: to come into being or to attention
a question arose
3
: to move upward
mist arose from the valley

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