deemed; deeming; deems
: 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
: 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."
Synonyms
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
Though the massive tune-in was deemed a success by Netflix, in a statement the streamer said there was room to do better, according to Bloomberg.
—
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Nov. 2024
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List deemed that giraffes (considered a single species) were threatened with extinction in 2016.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
While the company has responded to these concerns, the FDA deemed their actions insufficient.
—Verywell Health Editors, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2024
In 2020, the US revoked visas for more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers deemed security risks.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deem 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Nov. 2024
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List deemed that giraffes (considered a single species) were threatened with extinction in 2016.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
While the company has responded to these concerns, the FDA deemed their actions insufficient.
—Verywell Health Editors, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2024
In 2020, the US revoked visas for more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers deemed security risks.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deem
Dictionary Entries Near deem
Cite this Entry
“Deem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deem. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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