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
Principles versus pragmatism Working with the military has been controversial among some technology workers.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Luis Alvarez brought a scientific pragmatism to many of the twentieth century’s greatest mysteries, including the secrets of pyramids, the Kennedy assassination, and the disappearance of the dinosaurs.
—Alec Wilkinson, The New York Review of Books, 19 Feb. 2026
Solving that equation requires pragmatism, technological innovation, and a broad mix of fit-for-purpose energy solutions rather than rigid, one-dimensional approaches.
—Lynn Granger, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Texas should approach artificial intelligence with pragmatism.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pragmatism
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Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Luis Alvarez brought a scientific pragmatism to many of the twentieth century’s greatest mysteries, including the secrets of pyramids, the Kennedy assassination, and the disappearance of the dinosaurs.
—Alec Wilkinson, The New York Review of Books, 19 Feb. 2026
Solving that equation requires pragmatism, technological innovation, and a broad mix of fit-for-purpose energy solutions rather than rigid, one-dimensional approaches.
—Lynn Granger, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Texas should approach artificial intelligence with pragmatism.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pragmatism
Cite this Entry
“Pragmatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pragmatism. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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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