syllogism

Definition of syllogismnext
as in logic
formal a formal argument that is formed by two statements and a conclusion which must be true if the two statements are true An example of a syllogism is: "All men are human; all humans are mortal; therefore all men are mortal."

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of syllogism And Lincoln has a famous syllogism where, If the Black man can be enslaved because his skin is darker than yours, then you can be enslaved by anyone whose skin is fairer than yours. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 This syllogism is embraced by many Democrats, who are determined to recapture an industrial working-class base, and many Republicans, who use it as evidence that the government has sold out American workers in the heartland. — Adam S. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021 Twitter users often accept a flawed syllogism by using a conclusion as one of the premises – namely, that the platform spreads truthful information. — Aaron Duncan, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2020 Chairman Xi will undoubtedly want to prevent this syllogism from presenting itself to the minds of Chinese Christians. — Cameron Hilditch, National Review, 1 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for syllogism
Noun
  • Yook plays Han Sun-woo, a legal intern who would rather be designing jewelry and who trusts his instincts over logic.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
  • His albums have always embraced scattershot indulgence, with 18 or 25 or 34 tracks trying to capture his life and logic in toto.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Instead, applicants must complete a seven-step process that includes personality and abstract reasoning tests.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The system is built to produce deterministic outputs, trace the reasoning behind them, and apply the same underlying logic consistently across mortgage files.
    — Ethan Stone, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Unexpected structures attract attention The researchers are also investigating a second development emerging from the synthesis process.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Lamm theorized that these efforts around DNA synthesis could even lead to developing crops or trees that grow faster.
    — Colleen McKown, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Syllogism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllogism. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on syllogism

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster