To save this word, you'll need to log in.
mis·deem | \ ˌmis-ˈdēm 
\
\misdeemed; misdeeming
Definition of misdeem
1 intransitive archaic : to be mistaken : hold a wrong opinion
Also at such times is the rich man become fearful, and so waxeth in cruelty, and of that cruelty do people misdeem that it is power and might waxing.— William Morris
2 T archaic
a : to have a mistaken opinion of : misjudge Nor misdeem me, that I … should be thus bold.— Edward Bulwer-Lytton
b : to think or suppose wrongly
… but he misdeems that he is wise …— Percy Bysshe Shelley
3 transitive archaic : to mistake for something or someone else
… the poverty ye know, which we for wealth misdeem …— Aubrey De Vere
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on misdeem
What made you want to look up misdeem? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
- Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
Words to improve your Scrabble game
Take the quiz - Semantic Drift Quiz
A challenging quiz of changing words.
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Add Diction
Build a chain of words by adding one letter at a time.
Play the game
Share misdeem
Time Traveler for misdeem
The first known use of misdeem was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century