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

pragmatist

ˈprag-mə-tist 

adjective or noun

pragmatistic

ˌprag-mə-ˈti-stik 

adjective

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

That pragmatism appeared to persist even as the Houthis resumed their regional military engagement, with American diplomats reportedly meeting Houthi representatives in Oman in September 2026. — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

That pragmatism was refreshing and impeccably executed at Dries Van Noten, Celine, Simone Rocha, and Loewe. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

The conflict between pragmatism and generosity begins at a small scale and incrementally escalates. — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

In a display of pragmatism, al-Sharaa even maintains ties with both Russian President Vladimir Putin, a top ally of the former regime, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. — Tala Alrajjal, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see pragmatic

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pragmatism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

Kids 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

pragmatist

-mət-əst 

adjective or noun