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
  • Each episode barrels forward with the logic of a live-action cartoon, hijacking the visual language of everything from My Dinner With Andre to Dog Day Afternoon, while cramming in references to pop culture, video games, and Canadian esoterica.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 July 2026
  • Christopherson said the wider drop-off defies the simple currency logic that normally governs foreign buying behavior.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Noun
  • Uthmeier wants this policy to change, and has cited his own Catholic beliefs as part of his reasoning.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • So reasoning traces, the very things that supposedly distinguish LRMs from the mere next-word-predicting LLMs, are not necessarily either meaningful or causal to a model’s … reasoning?
    John Pavlus, Quanta Magazine, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Newer cell studies suggest specific protein fragments in oysters may also protect the cells that make testosterone from a kind of internal damage that normally shuts hormone synthesis down.
    Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
  • Pay more attention to qualities like careful thinking, in-depth analysis, and idea synthesis, rather than just the person who steals the spotlight.
    Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Syllogism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllogism. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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