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

The environments, especially when compared to those in Splatoon 3, come across as somewhat drab and are lacking in signature Splatoon flare. — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Denim cutoffs can look dressy, but Markle’s cropped slacks are even more effortless, but come across much more put-together. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026

Flake was hesitant that Collins comes across as an extreme candidate, and his refusal to acknowledge the results of the 2020 election is not where most voters are today. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Anyone who has struggled to keep their house cool during a heat wave has likely come across advice to avoid hot appliances to keep a home cooler. — Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 3 Aug. 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