emerge

verb

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

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
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.
Lauren remained in her home for about an hour after the shooting, but eventually emerged to face LAPD officers waiting outside. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025 The same week these two spectacular images emerged, so did a study that suggested that heavy rain once fell on Mars. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025 On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan had just finished speaking at a union convention and was emerging from the hotel when he was struck by a bullet from would-be assassin John Hinckley Jr. . Major Garrett, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2025 And the time when unlikely heroes emerge — none more unlikely for the Maple Leafs than the 26-year-old who had all of six goals in his NHL career before his point shot beat Linus Ullmark to end Game 3, propelling the Leafs to a 3-0 series lead. The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emerge

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of emerge was in 1563

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emerge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emerge. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

emerge

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on emerge

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