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
Dating is your mind, dating is pragmatism, and trying to reconcile the needs of your mind and the wants of your heart is messy.
—Carlos Aguilar, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025
In his recent campaign, Lee has billed his welfare agenda, which includes pledges for better labor protections as well as more public housing and public healthcare, not as class warfare but as commonsense pragmatism, reflecting his efforts to win over moderate conservatives.
—Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
While her couture creations leaned toward Dior’s architectural style, her ready-to-wear embraced the pragmatism of Bohan’s approach.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
The selection processes’ blend of tradition and pragmatism offers guidance for even the most modern organizations.
—Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pragmatism
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Carlos Aguilar, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2025
In his recent campaign, Lee has billed his welfare agenda, which includes pledges for better labor protections as well as more public housing and public healthcare, not as class warfare but as commonsense pragmatism, reflecting his efforts to win over moderate conservatives.
—Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
While her couture creations leaned toward Dior’s architectural style, her ready-to-wear embraced the pragmatism of Bohan’s approach.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
The selection processes’ blend of tradition and pragmatism offers guidance for even the most modern organizations.
—Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 21 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 29 Jun. 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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