pragmatism

noun prag·ma·tism \ ˈprag-mə-ˌti-zəm \

Definition of pragmatism

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

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pragmatist

play \-mə-tist\ adjective or noun

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pragmatistic

play \ˌprag-mə-ˈtis-tik\ adjective

See pragmatism defined for English-language learners

See pragmatism defined for kids

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 of pragmatism from the Web

Catron employs gentle, wry humor to go behind the scenes of her grandmother’s life in order to untangle the bonds of love and pragmatism.

— atlanta life, ajc, "Essays ponder the vagaries of romance," 11 Aug. 2017
Gordon, the grandson of a U.S. Marine and veritable godfather of the district that includes the former U.S. naval base at Subic Bay, knows about the power, and remorseless pragmatism, of the country at the eastern edge of the Pacific.

— jonathan m. katz, The Atlantic, "The Legacy of a Century-Old War Is Reshaping Power in the Pacific," 10 Aug. 2017
But Kelly’s pragmatism may only further tempt Trump to seek victories on health care, tax reform, or infrastructure spending with big-government measures that will further marginalize conservatives.

— jonathan s. tobin, National Review, "Trump’s Deal with the Establishment Is Over," 31 July 2017
Pragmatism, moderation, incrementalism, reform: These might be conservative virtues in principle, but in practice, the American right junked them years ago.

— andrew sullivan, Daily Intelligencer, "The Triumph of Obama’s Long Game," 21 July 2017
This reaction does not point toward budget-balancing governors preaching pragmatism.

— jonathan martin, New York Times, "As Party Drifts Left, Pragmatic Democratic Governors Have Eye on White House," 17 July 2017
Toomes is a perfect threat to the newbie spider-kid, a jilted average joe that has turned to crime out of a sort of coarse pragmatism, a menacing antithesis to Peter's naiveté.

— joshua rivera, GQ, "The Genius of Spider-Man: Homecoming's Big Twist," 12 July 2017
The 1852 annexation was a product of pragmatism as well as politics, and there were winners and losers on both sides.

— richard campanella, NOLA.com, "How New Orleans took Uptown from Jefferson Parish," 11 July 2017
Thatcher’s pragmatism can also be seen in her devotion to diplomacy.

— rupert stone, National Review, "Margaret Thatcher: High Principle Joined to Power Politics," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pragmatism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pragmatism

see pragmatic

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First Known Use: circa 1864

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PRAGMATISM Defined for English Language Learners

pragmatism

noun

Definition of pragmatism for English Language Learners

: a reasonable and logical way of doing things or of thinking about problems that is based on dealing with specific situations instead of on ideas and theories