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

In 1850, Sacramento’s sheriff and mayor died while attempting to remove white squatters, in what was quickly deemed the Squatter Riot.

From Los Angeles Times

In Caerphilly, amid proposed cuts to school transport services that could come in next year, independent inspectors have deemed a walking route to a school to be "unsafe".

From BBC

The banking group is set to tell those it deems are among the weakest performing 5% that they could be made redundant unless their work improves.

From BBC

But fresh legal advice revealed "complex deeming provisions" in the trust meant she should have paid the higher stamp duty rate on the purchase of the Hove flat, she said.

From BBC

When a federal judge deemed Google a “monopolist” last year, questions lingered about how he would help restore competition in online search.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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