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
Myanmar is a good example of a country where the longevity of U.S. commitment matters, and where the most constructive measures call for patience and pragmatism, not declaring a victory for democracy and walking away.
—Timothy McLaughlin, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
Members of the elite class in medieval England were not known for their modesty and pragmatism.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2024
Now, with Trump pulling slightly ahead of President Joe Biden in some national polls, U.S. allies are steeling themselves for a possible MAGA restoration with equal measures of dread and pragmatism.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024
Fountain Hills:Town council's new conservative ideology tilts against local pragmatism
Cap and Culp also alleged that Skillicorn is not legally allowed to block users from his social media accounts.
—Lux Butler, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024
By releasing admittedly imperfect A.I. software and eliciting frank feedback from customers, Microsoft had found a formula for both improving the technology and cultivating a skeptical pragmatism among users.
—Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2023
Competent, real-life pragmatism that delivers measurable results for Southern California.
—Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2024
These early moments of flickering possibility are conjured well, and a sharp contrast is established between Thomas’ heedless self-belief and the shrewd pragmatism of his brother, the town’s mayor.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024
Economic pragmatism drives much of Indonesia’s approach to Beijing.
—Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2024
Timothy McLaughlin, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
Members of the elite class in medieval England were not known for their modesty and pragmatism.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2024
Now, with Trump pulling slightly ahead of President Joe Biden in some national polls, U.S. allies are steeling themselves for a possible MAGA restoration with equal measures of dread and pragmatism.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024
Fountain Hills:Town council's new conservative ideology tilts against local pragmatism
Cap and Culp also alleged that Skillicorn is not legally allowed to block users from his social media accounts.
—Lux Butler, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024
By releasing admittedly imperfect A.I. software and eliciting frank feedback from customers, Microsoft had found a formula for both improving the technology and cultivating a skeptical pragmatism among users.
—Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2023
Competent, real-life pragmatism that delivers measurable results for Southern California.
—Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2024
These early moments of flickering possibility are conjured well, and a sharp contrast is established between Thomas’ heedless self-belief and the shrewd pragmatism of his brother, the town’s mayor.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024
Economic pragmatism drives much of Indonesia’s approach to Beijing.
—Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pragmatism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pragmatism
Cite this Entry
“Pragmatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pragmatism. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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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