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
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
One study found the following characteristics are most important for teacher effectiveness: passion about children and teaching, perseverance, risk taking, pragmatism, patience, flexibility, respect, creativity, authenticity, love of learning, high energy, and sense of humor.
—Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
This iteration of poly has an embarrassingly utopic bent, though somewhat deflated by the terrestrial pragmatism of scheduling and painstaking communication.
—TIME, 9 Feb. 2024
My colleagues John Cassidy and Bill McKibben have similarly observed that degrowth lacks the soothing pragmatism of green growth.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024
De Niro’s own ignorance of American history forces him to demonize John Wayne’s historical pragmatism — the complexities of Manifest Destiny that get in the way of America-hating radicals.
—Armond White, National Review, 6 Dec. 2023
His comment, albeit macabre, reflects dark humor and a willingness to face fringe situations with pragmatism tinged with irony.
—Javier Hasse, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
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
One study found the following characteristics are most important for teacher effectiveness: passion about children and teaching, perseverance, risk taking, pragmatism, patience, flexibility, respect, creativity, authenticity, love of learning, high energy, and sense of humor.
—Kim Elsesser, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
This iteration of poly has an embarrassingly utopic bent, though somewhat deflated by the terrestrial pragmatism of scheduling and painstaking communication.
—TIME, 9 Feb. 2024
My colleagues John Cassidy and Bill McKibben have similarly observed that degrowth lacks the soothing pragmatism of green growth.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2024
De Niro’s own ignorance of American history forces him to demonize John Wayne’s historical pragmatism — the complexities of Manifest Destiny that get in the way of America-hating radicals.
—Armond White, National Review, 6 Dec. 2023
His comment, albeit macabre, reflects dark humor and a willingness to face fringe situations with pragmatism tinged with irony.
—Javier Hasse, Forbes, 16 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 19 Apr. 2024.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on pragmatism
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