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
After Heated Exchange With Trump By Faisal Kutty Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member
opinion
International diplomacy is built on respect, pragmatism, and strategic alliances.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
That shift, too, is a lesson in economic pragmatism.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
And to no one’s surprise because, after years of political pragmatism bordering on apathy, Silicon Valley’s style of business thinking has sharpened to a social-ideological point.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Whether playing a volatile cop in The French Connection, a criminal mastermind in Superman or a murderous sheriff in Unforgiven, Hackman delivered dialogue with an un-showy pragmatism.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pragmatism
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.
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
That shift, too, is a lesson in economic pragmatism.
—Frank Holmes, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
And to no one’s surprise because, after years of political pragmatism bordering on apathy, Silicon Valley’s style of business thinking has sharpened to a social-ideological point.
—Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Whether playing a volatile cop in The French Connection, a criminal mastermind in Superman or a murderous sheriff in Unforgiven, Hackman delivered dialogue with an un-showy pragmatism.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 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 13 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share