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
While Trump’s return to the White House will likely bring attempts to undo Biden-era clean energy initiatives, the clean energy transition appears poised to forge ahead—driven by innovation, economic pragmatism, European regulations and market forces.
—Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
For Prime Minister Keir Starmer, pragmatism appears to trump principle, at least for now.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
The cold, Gucci-belt pragmatism of Thomas is the play’s existential refrain.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
Lorne’s generous with telling you the black arts of it, the realpolitik of how things get made, the pragmatism.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024
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Michael Sheldrick, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
For Prime Minister Keir Starmer, pragmatism appears to trump principle, at least for now.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024
The cold, Gucci-belt pragmatism of Thomas is the play’s existential refrain.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024
Lorne’s generous with telling you the black arts of it, the realpolitik of how things get made, the pragmatism.
—Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pragmatism
Dictionary Entries Near pragmatism
Cite this Entry
“Pragmatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pragmatism. Accessed 19 Jan. 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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