came across
Found by chance
Came across means encountered or found, usually by chance rather than deliberate search: I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic.
It also describes how someone or something is perceived by others: She came across as confident, His remarks came across as rude.
The first sense emphasizes accidental discovery; the second emphasizes the impression made on observers.
Found unexpectedly
- foundDiscovered or established
- uncoveredMade visible or known
- unearthedRetrieved from the ground
- noticedBecame aware of
spotted · encountered · located · detected · chanced upon · happened upon · hit upon · turned up
Became visible or present
- seemedGave an impression
- presentedFormally gave or showed
- projectedCast outward or forecast
- conveyedTransferred or expressed
registered · sounded · looked · gave off
Unexpected fortunate discovery
- happy accidentUnintended but beneficial event
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
- flukeChance stroke of luck
- stroke of luckFortunate unexpected occurrence
stumbled upon
Found unexpectedly
noticed · spotted · encountered · located · detected · chanced upon · happened upon · hit upon · turned up · dug up
met
Came upon someone
- ran into
- bumped into
- happened uponFound unexpectedly
appeared
Became visible or present
conveyed · registered · sounded · looked · gave off
lucky find
Unexpected fortunate discovery
- happy accidentUnintended but beneficial event
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
- flukeChance stroke of luck
- found synonymsfound, discovered, uncovered, unearthed, located
came acrosslooked for
Tried to find
tracked down · researched · investigated · pursued · targeted
came acrossmissed
Failed to reach
avoided · overlooked · bypassed · passed by · evaded
came acrossconcealed
Made invisible deliberately
hid · masked · disguised · suppressed
come, cross, become, across, crossing, overcome, came, became, comes