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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 His evident commitment to the secular liberal consensus might seem wishful, if his freedoms, as a gay man whose life has transcended national boundaries, were not so contingent on politics. 
Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2022 This barrage of questions might seem obnoxious, but the logical and emotional gibberish that exists at the core of bigotry is exposed with, well, exposure. Damon Young, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 To outsiders, the summer’s weeks-long contretemps over the prime minister’s after-hours activities might seem like a tempest in a Nordic teapot. Michael Hunt, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022 Constructing new ones might seem a straightforward solution at a time when more water is needed—but the reality is more complicated. WIRED, 14 Sep. 2022 The classic horror story—a room full of people who haven’t read the selection—might seem like a scenario to be avoided at all costs. Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2022 Even though finding the most outstanding hot tools to come out this year might seem like a lofty goal, the Allure team dedicated months to the endeavor — and succeeded. Allure Editors, Allure, 13 Sep. 2022 Amid such pessimism, turning off lights a bit early at monuments might seem like a paltry move. Steve Mollman, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2022 Given his music career and a hectic touring schedule, attracting the interest of Styles might seem like an uphill struggle. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2022 See More
Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2022 This barrage of questions might seem obnoxious, but the logical and emotional gibberish that exists at the core of bigotry is exposed with, well, exposure. Damon Young, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 To outsiders, the summer’s weeks-long contretemps over the prime minister’s after-hours activities might seem like a tempest in a Nordic teapot. Michael Hunt, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022 Constructing new ones might seem a straightforward solution at a time when more water is needed—but the reality is more complicated. WIRED, 14 Sep. 2022 The classic horror story—a room full of people who haven’t read the selection—might seem like a scenario to be avoided at all costs. Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2022 Even though finding the most outstanding hot tools to come out this year might seem like a lofty goal, the Allure team dedicated months to the endeavor — and succeeded. Allure Editors, Allure, 13 Sep. 2022 Amid such pessimism, turning off lights a bit early at monuments might seem like a paltry move. Steve Mollman, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2022 Given his music career and a hectic touring schedule, attracting the interest of Styles might seem like an uphill struggle. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2022 See More 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
seemed; seeming
1
: to give the impression of being : appear
They certainly seemed pleased.
2
—used to make a statement less forceful or more polite
I can't seem to recall where we met.
seems
verb
as in looks
to give the impression of being I tried to cheer them up because they seemed depressed Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- looks
- feels
- sounds
- appears
- acts
- makes
- pretends
- suggests
- resembles
- implies
- comes off (as)
- comes across (as)
- recalls
- hints
- insinuates
- dissembles