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
One Coy Hill release even had a special cork made to contain the volcanic whiskey within, which was bottled between 143 and 155 proof—that’s certifiable hazmat, as any whiskey over 140 proof (70 percent ABV) is deemed unsafe to bring onboard an airplane.
—
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
Then, on Friday, the NCAA announced the results of some of those probes, with six players being deemed permanently ineligible.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Internationally, world football’s governing body FIFA fined England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for their use of the poppy to mark Remembrance Day in 2016, deeming it to be a political symbol.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
Jaquez, who was listed as questionable for the contest before being deemed available, closed Saturday’s victory with 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 29 minutes.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deem
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Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
Then, on Friday, the NCAA announced the results of some of those probes, with six players being deemed permanently ineligible.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 9 Nov. 2025
Internationally, world football’s governing body FIFA fined England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for their use of the poppy to mark Remembrance Day in 2016, deeming it to be a political symbol.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
Jaquez, who was listed as questionable for the contest before being deemed available, closed Saturday’s victory with 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in 29 minutes.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 2025.
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