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
Even down two of their better players (who were also deemed ineligible that season in the wake of the FBI investigation), the Tigers went on to win the SEC regular season and make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 years.
—
Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Jean-Marie Le Pen was deemed unfit to testify. ___
Ganley, who retired from The Associated Press, contributed to this report.
—Thomas Adamson, Sylvie Corbet, TIME, 7 Jan. 2025
The 72-year-old law that Biden cited allows the president to withdraw portions of the outer continental shelf from mineral leasing, including leasing to drill for oil and gas, if the areas are deemed too sensitive to drill.
—Matthew Daly, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, breaking with what had been to that point Tokyo's stance of not having the prime minister weigh in on what was deemed a business matter, sent a letter to Biden in November asking him to approve the deal.
—Ellen Nakashima, arkansasonline.com, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deem 
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Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Jean-Marie Le Pen was deemed unfit to testify. ___
Ganley, who retired from The Associated Press, contributed to this report.
—Thomas Adamson, Sylvie Corbet, TIME, 7 Jan. 2025
The 72-year-old law that Biden cited allows the president to withdraw portions of the outer continental shelf from mineral leasing, including leasing to drill for oil and gas, if the areas are deemed too sensitive to drill.
—Matthew Daly, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, breaking with what had been to that point Tokyo's stance of not having the prime minister weigh in on what was deemed a business matter, sent a letter to Biden in November asking him to approve the deal.
—Ellen Nakashima, arkansasonline.com, 6 Jan. 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 17 Jan. 2025.
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