deem

verb

ˈdēm 

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."

Synonyms

• allow [chiefly Southern & Midland]
• believe
• conceive
• consider
• esteem
• feel
• figure
• guess
• hold
• imagine
• judge
• reckon [chiefly dialect]
• suppose
• think

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

Talbots is overflowing with dresses that shoppers deemed ideal for travel, including jersey shift, floral, fit-and-flare, linen, and polo styles up to 73 percent off. —Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2024

Somehow, the building was deemed outside the official security perimeter for the rally. —Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 July 2024

Biden had what was deemed a historically faulty debate performance, and Trump became one of the few federal, political candidates injured in an assassination attempt. —Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 20 July 2024

Experts seem to disagree on whether Friday’s outage would be deemed to be within airlines’ control. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 19 July 2024

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

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Kids Definition

deem

verb

ˈdēm 

: to have an opinion : believe, suppose

deemed it wise to go slow