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

That’s exactly what happened when Forrest Purdy and his two daughters came across the rapper on their way into Sheeran’s concert and began recording his performance on their phones. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2026

The selection of Indianapolis for this particular matchup comes across as counterintuitive. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026

As American High gears up for the new school year, a new crop of interns and students interested in working on sets will come across Garelick and Phillips’ desk, becoming part of the ever-growing network. — Matt Minton, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Tampa Bay’s lineup can come across as top-heavy, relying too much on the front half for its production. — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 15 Sep. 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