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
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
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
Realizing Santa wasn't real made the syllogism obvious.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2010
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
For Whom the Bell Tolls illustrate this trite syllogism.
—David Pryce-Jones, National Review, 22 Aug. 2019
Adam S. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021
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
Realizing Santa wasn't real made the syllogism obvious.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 2010
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
For Whom the Bell Tolls illustrate this trite syllogism.
—David Pryce-Jones, National Review, 22 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for syllogism
Noun
-
This mimicry of human traits, combined with an underlying amoral optimization logic, presents a significant concern.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
-
Trump aides have said the goal of his tariffs was to isolate China and strike new agreements with allies, but the president’s tariff threats undermine the logic of those claims.—
Josh Boak,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
The justices in the majority did not explain their reasoning.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
30 May 2025
-
The Supreme Court’s majority did not provide any reasoning for their decision to let the Trump administration move forward with the deportations.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
The dye synthesis technology produces natural shades from waste fleeces—a residue that is usually discarded by farmers and not used for any other applications.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
28 May 2025
-
In chemical engineering experiments involving the synthesis of new compounds or the optimization of chemical processes, vast amounts of data must be analyzed quickly and accurately.—
Han Hendriks,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Syllogism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllogism. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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