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
The future belongs to those who balance innovation with pragmatism.
—Deepa Shekhar, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Trump shows disdain for ‘nation-builders’ and interventionists The Republican president made the case for a vision centered in pragmatism.
—Zeke Miller, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025
Besides, with Saturn officially entering Aries on May 24, an air of pragmatism and responsibility will soon begin to hover over our love lives, as this encourages us to build a solid foundation for the future.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 12 May 2025
Yet even here, Subianto seemingly is open to pragmatism, with reports that the Indonesian government is floating the idea of normalizing ties with Israel in a bid to ease entry into the OECD.
—Gilang Kembara, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pragmatism
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Deepa Shekhar, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Trump shows disdain for ‘nation-builders’ and interventionists The Republican president made the case for a vision centered in pragmatism.
—Zeke Miller, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025
Besides, with Saturn officially entering Aries on May 24, an air of pragmatism and responsibility will soon begin to hover over our love lives, as this encourages us to build a solid foundation for the future.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 12 May 2025
Yet even here, Subianto seemingly is open to pragmatism, with reports that the Indonesian government is floating the idea of normalizing ties with Israel in a bid to ease entry into the OECD.
—Gilang Kembara, The Conversation, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pragmatism
Cite this Entry
“Pragmatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pragmatism. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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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