seem

verb

ˈsēm 

seemed; seeming; seems

intransitive verb

1

: to appear to the observation or understanding

2

: to give the impression of being

Synonyms

• act
• appear
• come across (as)
• come off (as)
• feel
• look
• make
• sound

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

Still, Kim seemed amused by his label’s popularity in China. —Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

She was criticized for bringing cases that seemed doomed in court — winning such cases would depend on persuading judges of new legal thinking, a project of years or decades. —Andrew Prokop, Vox, 15 Oct. 2024

The lid’s dark, varnished inlay seemed to swirl and shimmer like the surface of Venus. —David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024

The Mets seemed undaunted and solved another Dodgers bullpen game, taking a 7-3, Game 2 win after jumping out to an early 6-0 lead. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2024

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

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