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
  • The same logic is compressing timelines across billing, genomic analysis and the biopharma pipeline.
    Renu Navale, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Its core Semiconductor Systems division makes up about 73% of the company’s revenue, according to its most recent annual filing, selling to the companies that manufacture chips for computing, logic, and memory.
    Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The donor’s reasoning gets examined at length; the communities depending on the outcome are treated as a destination, not a party to the decision.
    Vandana Arcot, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Before conscious reasoning has a chance to engage, the brain often constructs an elaborate threat narrative.
    Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • What comes back is a synthesis of whatever frameworks exist in the indexed literature.
    Camden Kaminsky, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • This is the spirit that Marvel Tokon carries forward, an electrifying synthesis by main character designer Yuki Kato, whose art has shaped Arc System Works' fighting games since the beloved BlazBlue.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Syllogism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllogism. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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