Deem vs. Seem: What's the Difference?
Deem and Seem Definitions
Deem
To regard as; consider
Deemed the results unsatisfactory. See Usage Note at as1.
Seem
To give the impression of being in a certain way; appear to be
The child seems healthy, but the doctor is concerned. The house seems to be in good condition.
Deem
To suppose or believe
"making little improvements which she deemed that he would value when she was gone" (Thomas Hardy).
Seem
Used to call attention to one's impression or understanding about something, especially in weakening the force of a following infinitive
I can't seem to get the story straight.
Deem
To have an opinion; think.
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Seem
To appear to be probable or evident
It seems you object to the plan. It seems like rain.
Deem
To judge, to pass judgment on; to doom, to sentence.
Seem
(copulative) To appear; to look outwardly; to be perceived as.
He seems to be ill.
Her eyes seem blue.
It must have seemed to her she was safe.
How did she seem to you?
He seems not to be at home.
It seems like rain.
Deem
To adjudge, to decree.
Seem
(obsolete) To befit; to beseem.
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Deem
To dispense (justice); to administer (law).
Seem
To appear, or to appear to be; to have a show or semblance; to present an appearance; to look; to strike one's apprehension or fancy as being; to be taken as.
Thou picture of what thou seem'st.
All seemed well pleased; all seemed, but were not all.
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.
A prince of Italy, it seems, entertained his mistress on a great lake.
Ham. Ay, madam, it is common.Queen. If it be,Why seems it so particular with thee?Ham. Seems, madam! Nay, it is; I know not "seems."
Deem
(ditransitive) To hold in belief or estimation; to adjudge as a conclusion; to regard as being; to evaluate according to one's beliefs; to account.
She deemed his efforts insufficient.
Seem
To befit; to beseem.
Deem
(ambitransitive) To think, judge, or have or hold as an opinion; to decide or believe on consideration; to suppose.
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Seem
Give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect;
She seems to be sleeping
This appears to be a very difficult problem
This project looks fishy
They appeared like people who had not eaten or slept for a long time
Deem
An opinion, a judgment, a surmise.
Seem
Seem to be true, probable, or apparent;
It seems that he is very gifted
It appears that the weather in California is very bad
Deem
To decide; to judge; to sentence; to condemn.
Claudius . . . Was demed for to hang upon a tree.
Seem
Appear to exist;
There seems no reason to go ahead with the project now
Deem
To account; to esteem; to think; to judge; to hold in opinion; to regard.
For never can I deem him less him less than god.
Seem
Appear to one's own mind or opinion;
I seem to be misunderstood by everyone
I can't seem to learn these Chinese characters
Deem
To be of opinion; to think; to estimate; to opine; to suppose.
And deemest thou as those who pore,With aged eyes, short way before?
Deem
To pass judgment.
Deem
Opinion; judgment.
Deem
Keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view;
Take for granted
View as important
Hold these truths to be self-evident
I hold him personally responsible
