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
Mechanical ingenuity and pragmatism lent itself to its range of quartz and mechanical timepieces for collectors over the decades.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025
In the 2024 letter, Fink introduced a new term – energy pragmatism.
—Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The big picture: The proposal comes while the White House is pressuring the District, forcing local Democrats to prioritize pragmatism over progressive agenda items.
—Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
When President Donald Trump announced steep tariffs on all cars shipped to the United States this week – a significant escalation in a global trade war – his Mexican counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum chose pragmatism and patience.
—Rafael Romo, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pragmatism
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Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025
In the 2024 letter, Fink introduced a new term – energy pragmatism.
—Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
The big picture: The proposal comes while the White House is pressuring the District, forcing local Democrats to prioritize pragmatism over progressive agenda items.
—Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
When President Donald Trump announced steep tariffs on all cars shipped to the United States this week – a significant escalation in a global trade war – his Mexican counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum chose pragmatism and patience.
—Rafael Romo, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 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 15 Apr. 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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