deem

verb

deemed; deeming; deems

transitive verb

: to come to think or judge : consider
deemed it wise to go slow
those whom she deemed worthy
a movie deemed appropriate for all ages

intransitive verb

: to have an opinion : believe

Did you know?

Originally, deem meant "to legally condemn." The word is still frequently used in contexts pertaining to the law but with the general meaning "to judge" or "to decide after inquiry and deliberation," as in "The act was deemed unlawful" or "The defendant is deemed to have agreed to the contract." Outside of the law, deem usually means simply "to consider."

Examples of deem in a Sentence

The principal will take whatever action she deems appropriate in this case. I deem it fitting that we mark this solemn occasion with a day of prayer and thanksgiving.
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.
In an update Tuesday, police said the Office of Chief Medical Examiner had deemed the death a homicide. Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 After preferred dividends and deemed dividends, the net loss attributable to common stockholders was $10,026,000. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024 Two polling locations in Fulton County were evacuated briefly Tuesday morning after officials received five bomb threats the county later deemed to be non-credible, Raffensperger said. Luke Barr, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024 The drones straying into NATO territory have not been deemed intentional attacks, but the incidents stoke the fire of tensions between the alliance and Moscow, at its worst point in decades. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deem 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English demen, from Old English dēman; akin to Old High German tuomen to judge, Old English dōm doom

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of deem was before the 12th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near deem

Cite this Entry

“Deem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deem. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

deem

verb
: to have an opinion : believe, suppose
deemed it wise to go slow

More from Merriam-Webster on deem

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!