seem

verb

ˈsēm 

seemed; seeming; seems

intransitive verb

1

: to appear to the observation or understanding

2

: to give the impression of being

Synonyms of seem

• look
• feel
• sound
• appear

Examples of seem in a Sentence

What they're doing doesn't seem right to me.

I tried to cheer them up because they seemed depressed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Remember when Mizzou had one of the most dangerous offenses in the country, and Ahmad Hardy seemed like a legit candidate for the Heisman Trophy? —Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 16 Nov. 2025

That’s why Russian President Vladimir Putin seems prepared to pay almost any price for it – and why the Ukrainian army keeps trying to hang onto it even though the situation is becoming increasingly desperate. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025

Big man Chet Holmgren seems to be taking the next step toward becoming a bona fide star, and Gilgeous-Alexander is a hair beneath Giannis Antetokounmpo for the NBA's highest scoring average. —Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025

For folks who can’t seem to find the ingredients or time — or sometimes motivation — to host a holiday dinner, some capital region restaurants are setting the table themselves. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English semen to appear to be, be fitting, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse sœma to honor, sœmr fitting, samr same — more at same

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for seem

• beam
• bream
• cream
• creme
• deem
• dream
• gleam
• meme
• ream
• scheme
• scream
• seam

Kids Definition

seem

verb

ˈsēm 

1

: to give the impression of being : appear

the request seems reasonable

2

a

: to appear to a person's own mind or opinion

can't seem to solve the problem

b

: to appear to be

there seems no reason for worry