seem

verb

ˈsēm 

seemed; seeming; seems

intransitive verb

1

: to appear to the observation or understanding

2

: to give the impression of being

Synonyms

• act
• appear
• come across (as)
• come off (as)
• feel
• look
• make
• sound

Examples of seem in a Sentence

What they're doing doesn't seem right to me.

I tried to cheer them up because they seemed depressed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Those three players, all locker room leaders in their own ways, seemed to agree their team is working through a real rut. —Jay King, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024

Trump and Panamanian president clash Trump first seemed to suggest the United States should take over the Panama Canal in a TruthSocial post on December 21. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 26 Dec. 2024

Every detail seemed deliberately crafted—from the dynamic staging and the precision of the dancers to the audience. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 26 Dec. 2024

Shifting consumer preferences, economic challenges, war, inflation and threats of high tariffs seem to be paving the way for reliability in the spirits industry next year. —Patrick Shorb, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English semen to appear to be, be fitting, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse sœma to honor, sœmr fitting, samr same — more at same

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

seem

verb

ˈsēm 

1

: to give the impression of being : appear

the request seems reasonable

2

a

: to appear to a person's own mind or opinion

can't seem to solve the problem

b

: to appear to be

there seems no reason for worry