syllogism

noun

Definition of syllogismnext
as in logic
formal a formal argument that is formed by two statements and a conclusion which must be true if the two statements are true An example of a syllogism is: "All men are human; all humans are mortal; therefore all men are mortal."

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of syllogism And Lincoln has a famous syllogism where, If the Black man can be enslaved because his skin is darker than yours, then you can be enslaved by anyone whose skin is fairer than yours. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 This syllogism is embraced by many Democrats, who are determined to recapture an industrial working-class base, and many Republicans, who use it as evidence that the government has sold out American workers in the heartland. — Adam S. Posen, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021 Twitter users often accept a flawed syllogism by using a conclusion as one of the premises – namely, that the platform spreads truthful information. — Aaron Duncan, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2020 Chairman Xi will undoubtedly want to prevent this syllogism from presenting itself to the minds of Chinese Christians. — Cameron Hilditch, National Review, 1 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for syllogism
  1. logic
  2. reasoning
  3. synthesis
Noun
  • Some songs are difficult to follow without lyric sheets in hand, and even then, the internal logic collapses, baiting you in with coherent ideas before going in another direction.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Making collaboration count That same logic is also driving interest in sourcing pools—by no means a novel concept but one that has been discussed more in the abstract than put into practice.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of logic
Noun
  • Instead, applicants must complete a seven-step process that includes personality and abstract reasoning tests.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The system is built to produce deterministic outputs, trace the reasoning behind them, and apply the same underlying logic consistently across mortgage files.
    — Ethan Stone, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of reasoning
Noun
  • Unexpected structures attract attention The researchers are also investigating a second development emerging from the synthesis process.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Lamm theorized that these efforts around DNA synthesis could even lead to developing crops or trees that grow faster.
    — Colleen McKown, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of synthesis

Browse Nearby Words

sylleptic
syllogism
syllogistic
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Cite this Entry

“Syllogism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllogism. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on syllogism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about syllogism

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