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
According to officials, both homes were deemed uninhabitable.
—
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2025
The status allows people already in the United States to live and work legally because their native countries are deemed unsafe for return due to natural disaster or civil strife.
—Time, 2 May 2025
In addition to the felony charges, the sheriff’s office filed a petition with a judge to temporarily remove Allen’s firearms under Florida’s Risk Protection Order Act which removes firearms from a person if they’re deemed a threat to themselves or others.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 2 May 2025
The status allows people already in the United States to live and work legally because their native countries are deemed unsafe for return due to a natural disaster or civil strife.
—Mark Sherman and Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 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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Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2025
The status allows people already in the United States to live and work legally because their native countries are deemed unsafe for return due to natural disaster or civil strife.
—Time, 2 May 2025
In addition to the felony charges, the sheriff’s office filed a petition with a judge to temporarily remove Allen’s firearms under Florida’s Risk Protection Order Act which removes firearms from a person if they’re deemed a threat to themselves or others.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 2 May 2025
The status allows people already in the United States to live and work legally because their native countries are deemed unsafe for return due to a natural disaster or civil strife.
—Mark Sherman and Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 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 12 May. 2025.
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