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
Many food establishments around the country nonetheless deemed the sacrifice worthwhile today, joining a nationwide strike against ICE’s mass deportations and violence against protesters in Minneapolis and across the country.
—
Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Some line items on the fiscal solvency plan have been deemed not viable, such as freezing overtime unless required by emergencies.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Teams deemed the valve needed to be replaced and the rocket needed to be rolled back from the pad to Boeing’s Vertical Integration Facility.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
Players can be deemed uninsurable for several reasons, a source told The Times in 2023.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deem
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Some line items on the fiscal solvency plan have been deemed not viable, such as freezing overtime unless required by emergencies.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Teams deemed the valve needed to be replaced and the rocket needed to be rolled back from the pad to Boeing’s Vertical Integration Facility.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
Players can be deemed uninsurable for several reasons, a source told The Times in 2023.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deem
Cite this Entry
“Deem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deem. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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