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
The syllogism works only with two premises and a conclusion.
—
The Lost Women Of Science Initiative, Scientific American, 30 Nov. 2023
The ability to count indefinitely beyond fingers or body parts; to read, write, store, and learn ideas through text; the tendency to reason abstractly with syllogisms and enthymemes and approximations of formal logic – all were tools for thinking that were culturally created and then transmitted.
—Michael Muthukrishna, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2023
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
The syllogism runs something like this: Jews, regardless of their American citizenship, owe loyalty to Israel.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2019
Realizing Santa wasn't real made the syllogism obvious.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2010
The Lost Women Of Science Initiative, Scientific American, 30 Nov. 2023
The ability to count indefinitely beyond fingers or body parts; to read, write, store, and learn ideas through text; the tendency to reason abstractly with syllogisms and enthymemes and approximations of formal logic – all were tools for thinking that were culturally created and then transmitted.
—Michael Muthukrishna, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2023
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
The syllogism runs something like this: Jews, regardless of their American citizenship, owe loyalty to Israel.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2019
Realizing Santa wasn't real made the syllogism obvious.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2010
Recent Examples of Synonyms for syllogism
Noun
-
Each has its own software environment, tokenization support and decoding logic.—
Andrew Riabchuk,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Therrier noted that once regulations are passed, they're rarely updated and backed Cruz's logic that AI firms may need support to override old rules that could restrict AI innovation.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The funding will be used to advance their video reasoning engine—enabling creators to generate video content automatically from text prompts or minimal input—targeting higher-quality, scalable video for smaller creators and brands.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Apple didn’t explain its reasoning behind the decision, but the market for satellite-to-phone service is intensifying.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These included genetic variations in fatty acid metabolism and vitamin D synthesis.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
By studying exoplanet hazes in this three-pronged fashion — with observations, laboratory synthesis, and theoretical modeling — one more tool for investigating these alien worlds is bringing our view of the Universe into better focus.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Syllogism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllogism. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share