seem

verb

ˈsēm 

seemed; seeming; seems

intransitive verb

1

: to appear to the observation or understanding

2

: to give the impression of being

Synonyms of seem

• look
• feel
• sound
• appear

Examples of seem in a Sentence

What they're doing doesn't seem right to me.

I tried to cheer them up because they seemed depressed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Councilmember Vivian Moreno, who represents many of the city’s lower-income areas in the South Bay, said a six-year delay seemed too long to her. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026

But for malls like Lincolnwood and Northbrook Court, which have long promised redevelopment projects of their own but haven’t made significant progress, the future seems grim. —Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026

The surroundings seemed to impress no one except me. —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026

At first glance, the pairing might seem like an unconventional one, even though both artists are well known for appropriating others’ images. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English semen to appear to be, be fitting, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse sœma to honor, sœmr fitting, samr same — more at same

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for seem

• beam
• bream
• cream
• creme
• deem
• dream
• gleam
• meme
• ream
• scheme
• scream
• seam

Kids Definition

seem

verb

ˈsēm 

1

: to give the impression of being : appear

the request seems reasonable

2

a

: to appear to a person's own mind or opinion

can't seem to solve the problem

b

: to appear to be

there seems no reason for worry