arise

verb

ə-ˈrīz 

arose ə-ˈrōz  ; arisen ə-ˈri-zᵊn  ; arising ə-ˈrī-ziŋ 

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.

Synonyms of arise

• wake
• rise
• roll out
• awake

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

Damion is convinced that Julia’s sudden inheritance is a mistake, and their rivalry only gets more complicated when romantic feelings start to arise. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026

All the joy and buzzing activity arose from humble beginnings. — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Physician practices can improve scheduling and follow-up processes while ensuring patients know who to contact when questions arise between visits. — Jay Feldstein, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

For a producer, knowing where to turn when a challenge arises can be decisive. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for arise

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise
• coastwise

Kids Definition

arise

verb

ə-ˈrīz 

arose -ˈrōz  ; arisen -ˈriz-ən  ; arising -ˈrī-ziŋ 

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