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

Flores-Mejia somehow came across it, possibly through social media connections, and shared it with the aspiring MS-13 members who ultimately killed Peralta. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026

During wildlife surveys in 2022 and 2023 in eastern Thailand, a research team came across a small, nocturnal gecko with a triangular head and large, slightly protruding eyes. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026

Trump came across as weary of his own routine and frankly limp on enthusiasm. —Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026

People who come across a bird that might be infected with avian flu are urged not to touch the animals and report the case to the Game Commission. —Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for come across

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