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

Lyle came across as the perfect son who was always polite. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026

While responding to several wildfires northeast of Santa Maria along Highway 166 last August, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Chad Fleming came across a man engulfed in flames. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026

These don’t have to be (or come across as) accusations. —R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026

First, a family friend came across the country and moved into their home for two months to help care for their baby. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 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