come across

verb

came across; come across; coming across; comes across

intransitive verb

1

: to give over or furnish something demanded

especially : to pay over money

2

: to produce an impression

comes across as a good speaker

3

: come through sense 2

transitive verb

: to meet, find, or encounter especially by chance

Researchers have come across important new evidence.

Synonyms of come across

• seem
• feel
• look
• sound

Examples of come across in a Sentence

the law professor comes across as a bit of an ogre at first, but he's actually quite personable

Recent Examples on the Web

These are facts that are not lost on Arnault, who comes across as measured and forthcoming, with a cool confidence beyond his years. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2026

Then one day, while scrolling through Instagram, Alyssa came across a post of Erik and two friends sitting on a Central Park bench. — Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Now that he’s strayed out of his comfort zone, Skino comes across sluggish and barren. — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Anyone who has taken the subway has likely come across Arts & Design’s most popular program, Poetry in Motion, which pairs poems with artwork. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for come across

• albatross
• applesauce
• barabbas
• helios
• kshatriyas
• menelaus
• backcross
• crisscross
• lacrosse
• recross
• tomas
• blas