Syllogism
noun /ˈsɪlədʒɪz(ə)m/ — A three-step argument where truth flows inevitably to a conclusion.
Definition
A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given premises; the classic structure of deductive logic.
Beyond the definition
The syllogism is logic made visible. All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore Socrates is mortal. Once you know the structure, you see it everywhere — in arguments, court cases, every 'therefore' and 'because'. Understanding it makes you a sharper thinker and a harder person to mislead.
Origin & history
From Greek syllogismos — 'a reckoning together', from syllogizesthai 'to reckon together'. Developed by Aristotle as the fundamental building block of formal logic.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
His argument was structured as a syllogism — it sounded valid, but the first premise was false.
Learning to spot a faulty syllogism is one of the most practical skills in critical thinking.
The prosecutor built the case on a syllogism so clean it left no room for reasonable doubt.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Syllogism vs argument
A syllogism is a rigid, formal logical structure consisting of a major premise, minor premise, and conclusion. An argument is any expression of reasons used to persuade, often lacking formal logical proof.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Ordered work with wooden pieces
An adult arranges interlocking wooden pieces into a clear, ordered structure, using a methodical, step-by-step approach.
The assembly process is an analogy for the logical structure of a syllogism, where pieces fit together to reach a necessary conclusion. It illustrates the methodical reasoning required to build a sound argument from foundational premises.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration