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."

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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
  • Derby fixtures — meetings between teams brought together by geographical proximity and driven apart by rivalry — have their own twisted tempo and warped logic.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Now Druckenmiller is invoking the same logic against Bessent, who has crossed from the trading desk to the Treasury Department.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • McMillan, who was Prince’s lawyer for more than a decade, jumped on a Zoom with Rolling Stone to discuss Timeless, his reasoning behind the Netflix decision, the estate’s future plans, and much more.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The reasoning behind Criterion’s selections remains somewhat mysterious.
    Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Generative AI offloads reasoning, synthesis, and creative judgment—the cognitive work through which expertise is actually built, not just retrieved.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Order volume in the synthesis and testing layer over the next few quarters will show whether this is a real shift or one striking result.
    Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Syllogism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllogism. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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