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."
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
The New York Times reports that Trump secretly signed a directive instructing the Pentagon to use military force against some Latin American drug cartels that his administration deemed to be terrorist organizations.
—
Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 8 Aug. 2025
Crown Point Mayor Pete Land said the buildings have been deemed to be uninhabitable since the time of the structure fire.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Expressing your concern gives her the opportunity to be more present, to seek improvement or to drive less or not at all, if that’s what’s deemed appropriate.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Hazmat crews were on scene during the first response to monitor air quality, and it was deemed safe.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deem
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Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 8 Aug. 2025
Crown Point Mayor Pete Land said the buildings have been deemed to be uninhabitable since the time of the structure fire.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Expressing your concern gives her the opportunity to be more present, to seek improvement or to drive less or not at all, if that’s what’s deemed appropriate.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Hazmat crews were on scene during the first response to monitor air quality, and it was deemed safe.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 2025.
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