deem

[deem]

verb (used without object)

1. to form or have an opinion; judge; think.

   He did not deem lightly of the issue.

verb (used with object)

1. to hold as an opinion; think; regard as.

   He deemed it wise to refuse the offer.

   Synonyms: believe, hold, consider

deem

/ diːm /

verb

1. (tr) to judge or consider

   I do not deem him worthy of this honour

Word History and Origins

Origin of deem¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English demen, Old English dēman; cognate with Gothic dōmjan, Old High German tuomen; doom

Word History and Origins

Origin of deem¹

Old English dēman; related to Old High German tuomen to judge, Gothic domjan; see _doom

Example Sentences

Police deemed the case a lawful self-defense homicide—even though they had no one claiming they killed Fedrick in self-defense.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They weren't criminals - they were females deemed in need of "re-education".

Read more on BBC

That protection will be "regularly reviewed" and refugees will be forced to return to their home countries once they are deemed safe, it added.

Read more on Barron's

Under the truce, Israel was to withdraw its forces from south Lebanon, but it has kept them at five areas it deems strategic.

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None were deemed “substantiated,” which the Sheriff’s Department defines on its website as “an allegation that was investigated and determined to have occurred.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allow 
• assume 
• believe 
• expect 
• feel 
• presume 
• suppose 
• suspect