deemed; deeming; deems
: to come to think or judge : consider
deemed it wise to go slow
those whom she deemed worthy
a movie deemed appropriate for all ages
: to have an opinion : believe
Did you know?
Originally, deem meant "to legally condemn." The word is still frequently used in contexts pertaining to the law but with the general meaning "to judge" or "to decide after inquiry and deliberation," as in "The act was deemed unlawful" or "The defendant is deemed to have agreed to the contract." Outside of the law, deem usually means simply "to consider."
Examples of deem in a Sentence
The principal will take whatever action she deems appropriate in this case.
I deem it fitting that we mark this solemn occasion with a day of prayer and thanksgiving.
Recent Examples on the Web
Though all that has changed, the town has managed to preserve its Victorian architecture, and its downtown and waterfront were deemed National Historic Landmarks.
—
Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Government employees who are deemed essential — like TSA agents and air traffic controllers — have continued to work, though they won't get paid until the government reopens.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Employees deemed essential to public safety, including military personnel, law enforcement officers, border patrol and air traffic controllers, are required to work regardless.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
The league has been cracking down on players engaging in dangerous hits and also actions that the NFL has deemed to be unsportsmanlike conduct.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deem
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Government employees who are deemed essential — like TSA agents and air traffic controllers — have continued to work, though they won't get paid until the government reopens.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Employees deemed essential to public safety, including military personnel, law enforcement officers, border patrol and air traffic controllers, are required to work regardless.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
The league has been cracking down on players engaging in dangerous hits and also actions that the NFL has deemed to be unsportsmanlike conduct.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deem
Cite this Entry
“Deem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deem. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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