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

Those checking in seemed to be young couples, families visiting New York University, and a few coworkers on business trips. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026

The firefighters shrugged him off and seemed eager to finish the assignment. —Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026

Since the end of the regional and global commercial surge of Japan three decades ago, national economic problems have often seemed to dominate domestic debate and attention from abroad. —Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

Ahead of 2026, fresh off a season in which the Panthers won the NFC South and hosted a playoff game for the first time in a decade, another price hike — and a steeper one — seemed likely. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026

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