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
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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."
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
He was deemed ineligible each time, but the Army declined to specify what disqualified him.
—
Will Carless, USA Today, 6 July 2025
The suit sought compensatory and general damages and special and/or punitive damages, costs associated with filing the lawsuit and other damages deemed appropriate by the court.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
Once a tip is deemed credible with details, the response teams work on getting more information if someone was detained, and connect families to resources.
—Victoria Ivie, Oc Register, 4 July 2025
And the day is also deemed National Barbecue Spareribs Day, according to nationaldaycalendar.com.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deem
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Will Carless, USA Today, 6 July 2025
The suit sought compensatory and general damages and special and/or punitive damages, costs associated with filing the lawsuit and other damages deemed appropriate by the court.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
Once a tip is deemed credible with details, the response teams work on getting more information if someone was detained, and connect families to resources.
—Victoria Ivie, Oc Register, 4 July 2025
And the day is also deemed National Barbecue Spareribs Day, according to nationaldaycalendar.com.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deem
Cite this Entry
“Deem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deem. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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