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
The schools earlier this year were deemed in compliance with the federal consent decree for the first time, marking an improvement.
—
Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Baker claimed to have the cure for cancer, his treatments later deemed fraudulent.
—Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
They were placed there by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife after being deemed unsuitable for wild release.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
He was checked out and deemed fit to continue.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2025
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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Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Baker claimed to have the cure for cancer, his treatments later deemed fraudulent.
—Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
They were placed there by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife after being deemed unsuitable for wild release.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
He was checked out and deemed fit to continue.
—Arkansas Online, 25 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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