come across

verb

came across; come across; coming across; comes across
Synonyms of come acrossnext

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

transitive verb

: to meet, find, or encounter especially by chance
Researchers have come across important new evidence.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Martin came across what would become the epic setting of the car chase scene. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026 Bill Parcells said five things came across his desk every day that had nothing to do with football. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026 No one knows if or when a tornado will splinter our condo or if someone will come across the centerline and smash into our SUV. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026 Instead, Rose came across as unrepentant and wholly incapable of getting out of his own way. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for come across

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of come across was in 1775

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Come across.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/come%20across. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on come across

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