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
During a government shutdown, all government functions that are not deemed essential are put on hold and non-essential workers are furloughed without pay until government reopens.
—
Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
But a wide set of other foods would be deemed ultraprocessed only if the manufacturer juiced them up with cosmetic additives—and otherwise would just be processed.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 11 Feb. 2025
After the 2023 Supreme Court ruling, which deemed affirmative action in university admissions unconstitutional, attacks on DEI proliferated, and the term became a right-wing bogeyman blamed for almost anything that goes wrong in any workplace.
—Kizzy Cox, Essence, 11 Feb. 2025
The two teenagers are each facing a capital murder charge for the death of Tammy King, which officials have deemed a homicide.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
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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Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
But a wide set of other foods would be deemed ultraprocessed only if the manufacturer juiced them up with cosmetic additives—and otherwise would just be processed.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 11 Feb. 2025
After the 2023 Supreme Court ruling, which deemed affirmative action in university admissions unconstitutional, attacks on DEI proliferated, and the term became a right-wing bogeyman blamed for almost anything that goes wrong in any workplace.
—Kizzy Cox, Essence, 11 Feb. 2025
The two teenagers are each facing a capital murder charge for the death of Tammy King, which officials have deemed a homicide.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
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 21 Feb. 2025.
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