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

Cardiff, the compact capital of Wales, has undoubtedly emerged as one of the most exciting urban centers in Britain. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

Kylian Mbappe emerged from the northeastern suburb of Bondy, where his France team-mates William Saliba and Randal Kolo Muani were also born. — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Scientists hope Dragonfly will search for the complex organic chemistry that may resemble the conditions that existed on the early Earth before life emerged. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Since then, the company has emerged as a key strategic firm in the country’s ambition to dominate future technology, with its founder Wang Xingxing seated in the front row at President Xi Jinping’s rare symposium with top tech businesses last year. — John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 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