instrumentalism
noun
in·stru·men·tal·ism
ˌin(t)-strə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ˌi-zəm 
: a doctrine that ideas are instruments of action and that their usefulness determines their truth
Examples of instrumentalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There's nothing particularly quantum-mechanical about instrumentalism.
—
Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 18 Nov. 2011
The details of genetics, the abstract models of theorists, the messy instrumentalism of the naturalists, and the physical focus of the molecular researchers, all matter.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2010
Doubtless not a few of them harbor a special disdain for American Evangelicalism, with its gaudy, prosperous instrumentalism.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2020
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.
Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 18 Nov. 2011
The details of genetics, the abstract models of theorists, the messy instrumentalism of the naturalists, and the physical focus of the molecular researchers, all matter.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2010
Doubtless not a few of them harbor a special disdain for American Evangelicalism, with its gaudy, prosperous instrumentalism.
—James Wood, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Instrumentalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instrumentalism. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share