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
Curiously, only a few years per decade are, or at least historically were, deemed suitable enough to meet the quality levels associated with Vintage Port.
—
Paul Caputo, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
If no bill is passed, any government operations deemed nonessential will cease and hundreds of thousands of federal employees will see their work disrupted.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
However, the 2018-19 shutdown led to many airport security agents and air traffic controllers, deemed essential employees, staying out from work after weeks of not receiving paychecks.
—Steven Lemongello, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
It could be deemed as cheating or it could be deemed as being just a downright dirty ass player.
—EW.com, 20 Dec. 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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Paul Caputo, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
If no bill is passed, any government operations deemed nonessential will cease and hundreds of thousands of federal employees will see their work disrupted.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
However, the 2018-19 shutdown led to many airport security agents and air traffic controllers, deemed essential employees, staying out from work after weeks of not receiving paychecks.
—Steven Lemongello, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
It could be deemed as cheating or it could be deemed as being just a downright dirty ass player.
—EW.com, 20 Dec. 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 8 Jan. 2025.
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