pragmatism

noun

prag·​ma·​tism ˈprag-mə-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce pragmatism (audio)
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
pragmatist adjective or noun
pragmatistic adjective

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This shift transformed conversations, fostering deeper engagement as optimism was paired with pragmatism, accountability and understanding. Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 Minimal pragmatism meets elegance with this season’s luxe comfort sandals. Laura Lajiness Kaupke, refinery29.com, 21 Mar. 2025 The market for her talents is there, but her ambitions are thwarted by her brother and business partner Raymond, whose pragmatism leads him to spend more time weighing risks than daydreaming about rewards. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Mar. 2025 While pragmatism in foreign affairs is necessary, reducing the survival of a sovereign nation to a game of leverage risks trivializing the stakes at hand. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pragmatism

Word History

Etymology

see pragmatic

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pragmatism was circa 1864

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Cite this Entry

“Pragmatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pragmatism. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

pragmatism

noun
prag·​ma·​tism ˈprag-mə-ˌtiz-əm How to pronounce pragmatism (audio)
1
: a practical approach to problems and affairs
2
: a doctrine that truth is to be tested by the practical effects of belief
pragmatist adjective or noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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