pragmatism
noun
prag·ma·tism
ˈprag-mə-ˌti-zəm 
1
: a practical approach to problems and affairs
tried to strike a balance between principles and pragmatism
2
: an American movement in philosophy founded by C. S. Peirce and William James and marked by the doctrines that the meaning of conceptions is to be sought in their practical bearings, that the function of thought is to guide action, and that truth is preeminently to be tested by the practical consequences of belief
Examples of pragmatism in a Sentence
To put it rather more crudely, he is trying to sell his integrationist and reformist agenda using traditionalist legal wrappings. It is, of course, this pragmatism, which sometimes comes across as slippery casuistry, that so annoys his critics.
—
Malise Ruthven, New York Review of Books, 16 Aug. 2007
These are books without slogans, manuals that favor subtlety over simplicity, moderation over bombast, pragmatism over ideology.
—Jonathan Tepperman, New York Times Book Review, 16 Oct 2005
… compromise (or better yet, its spirit) symbolizes the necessary pragmatism expected of politics in a pluralist society.
—Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings … , 1996
The right person for the job will balance vision with pragmatism.
Malise Ruthven, New York Review of Books, 16 Aug. 2007
These are books without slogans, manuals that favor subtlety over simplicity, moderation over bombast, pragmatism over ideology.
—Jonathan Tepperman, New York Times Book Review, 16 Oct 2005
… compromise (or better yet, its spirit) symbolizes the necessary pragmatism expected of politics in a pluralist society.
—Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings … , 1996
The right person for the job will balance vision with pragmatism.
Recent Examples on the Web
The community’s embrace of Base represents a fundamental shift: a recognition of pragmatism over purity, whatever works for users over ideological consistency.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Back in the day, the USDA helped pay for screwworm eradication down to Panama out of not pure altruism but economic pragmatism: Establishing a 100-mile screwworm barrier there is cheaper than creating one at the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 27 May 2025
Britain’s long history demonstrates pragmatism and realism, reflected recently in hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately after his unpleasant Washington D.C. meeting with President Donald Trump.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Such pragmatism brought him close to Lincoln, who shared Raymond’s coolness of temper and concern for political unity.
—Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pragmatism
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Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Back in the day, the USDA helped pay for screwworm eradication down to Panama out of not pure altruism but economic pragmatism: Establishing a 100-mile screwworm barrier there is cheaper than creating one at the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 27 May 2025
Britain’s long history demonstrates pragmatism and realism, reflected recently in hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately after his unpleasant Washington D.C. meeting with President Donald Trump.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Such pragmatism brought him close to Lincoln, who shared Raymond’s coolness of temper and concern for political unity.
—Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pragmatism
Cite this Entry
“Pragmatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pragmatism. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pragmatism
noun
prag·ma·tism
ˈprag-mə-ˌtiz-əm
1
: a practical approach to problems and affairs
2
: a doctrine that truth is to be tested by the practical effects of belief
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