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

The next phases of the website redesign will focus on fixing issues that arise, as well as ongoing maintenance and upkeep. —Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026

The funeral prayer for the 41-year-old Afghan father of six who died Saturday in ICE custody was held Tuesday while more questions arise about why he was picked up and what caused his death less than a day later. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2026

Centers' growing power Previous efforts in California, Colorado and Vermont to regulate crisis pregnancy centers arose from concerns over allegations of deceptive and misleading practices and questions about patient data privacy. —Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026

Mehl explains that the company encourages clients to reach out whenever questions arise, even if the issue extends beyond a single product or service. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 18 Mar. 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