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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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
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
David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for syllogism
Noun
-
Only within the logic of an authoritarian or deeply reactionary culture can justice and beauty become controversial aims.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
-
The logic is that once clubs are well run, the state can step back.—
Wael Mahdi,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
As organizations deploy copilots, reasoning systems, and autonomous agents, agentic-ready data becomes a competitive advantage – enabling AI systems to retrieve better context, make better decisions, and generate more valuable outcomes.—
Chhandomay Mandal,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Consolmagno’s reasoning helps explain why proof of extraterrestrial life hasn’t shaken the faith of many Catholic thinkers.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
The team also attempted to increase the density of synthesis sites on the chip.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 June 2026
-
Muscle protein synthesis isn't just important for athletes.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Syllogism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllogism. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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