To deem is to judge, consider, or think of something in a particular way.
It comes from Old English “dēman,” meaning “to judge, decide,” related to “doom.” The word originally had a strong sense of formal judgment.
“Deem” is a quiet, powerful verb—you can change someone’s fate simply by how you classify them. Laws and policies often hinge on what counts as “deemed” acceptable or dangerous, which shows how language shapes reality.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.