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

If, on the other hand, cells were much more crowded, molecules would be stuck in place, unable to move much at all, let alone come across their reaction partners. —Quanta Magazine, 18 Feb. 2026

Nearly a year ago, the car-sized robot – one of two NASA rovers roaming the red planet – came across an intriguing rock sample that contained some interesting features. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026

As the star of Lizzie McGuire, the Disney sitcom that aired from 2001 to 2004 and turned her into a teen idol, Duff never came across as an untouchable diva. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2026

Only three senior starts have come across all competitions. —Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 17 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