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
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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
An August 2025 study deemed Austin the biggest boomtown in the country, with significant jumps in population, housing units and gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
—
Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
The Venezuelan court has not deemed him as such.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
The Security Council's tools include imposing economic sanctions on a country deemed to have acted outside the law and the charter, military action, and facilitating multinational solutions to conflicts.
—Elena Giuliano, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
At the same time, another reviewer deemed it magical and mysterious and praised its sophisticated and flirty aroma.
—Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deem
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
The Venezuelan court has not deemed him as such.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
The Security Council's tools include imposing economic sanctions on a country deemed to have acted outside the law and the charter, military action, and facilitating multinational solutions to conflicts.
—Elena Giuliano, NBC news, 5 Jan. 2026
At the same time, another reviewer deemed it magical and mysterious and praised its sophisticated and flirty aroma.
—Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deem
Cite this Entry
“Deem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deem. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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