emerge

verb

i-ˈmərj 

emerged; emerging

intransitive verb

1

: to become manifest : become known

new problems emerged

2

: to rise from or as if from an enveloping fluid : come out into view

a diver emerging from the water

3

: to rise from an obscure or inferior position or condition

someone must emerge as a leader

4

: to come into being through evolution

Synonyms of emerge

• arise
• surface
• appear
• happen
• occur

Examples of emerge in a Sentence

The facts emerged after a lengthy investigation.

Several possible candidates have emerged.

She has emerged as a leading contender in the field.

His war record has emerged as a key issue in the election.

when land first emerged from the sea

The cat emerged from its hiding place behind the couch.

animals emerging from a long period of inactivity

Recent Examples on the Web

Russia’s offer to supply floating nuclear power plants to coastal African countries emerged as a major focus of talks held with African officials at a summit in Moscow this week. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026

DoorDash has emerged as the most successful stand-alone online delivery platform in America, commanding some two-thirds of all food-delivery volumes as of 2024, according to Bloomberg data. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026

That’s when a chorus of disapproving groans emerges from the other end of the phone line. — Julie Klausner, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

Now a sophomore in his second season as Morton’s starter, Price emerged as a top signal-caller. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin emergere, from e- + mergere to plunge — more at merge

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing emerge

• emerge the victor
• emerge victorious
• re-emerge

Rhymes for emerge

• converge
• diverge
• submerge
• upsurge
• demiurge
• dirge
• merge
• purge
• scourge
• serge
• splurge
• spurge

Kids Definition

emerge

verb

i-ˈmərj 

emerged; emerging

1

: to become known or apparent

the facts emerged

2

: to rise from or as if from a fluid : come out into view