1. came up to or appeared on the surface of water or another liquid
2. became known or visible after being hidden or unknown
3. applied a surface layer or covering to something

Examples

• The submarine surfaced after hours underwater.
• A whale surfaced near our boat.
• New evidence has surfaced in the investigation.
• The scandal surfaced just before the election.
• They surfaced the road with fresh asphalt.
• The old memories surfaced during therapy.
• The diver surfaced to catch his breath.