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

Some seemed skeptical as the men performed the rainmaking ritual. — Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026

Write, make something, tell the story differently, or simply notice what now seems funny that once felt enormous. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Now, as bad as this all seems, things are even worse for our time-traveling Brits. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026

At a time when Congress can’t seem to agree on much, the bipartisan nature and broad support of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act speak volumes about the urgency of the problem and why it must be passed. — The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 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