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
Such was Luis de la Fuente’s peerless pragmatism at Euro 2024.
—Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 15 July 2024
Ultimately, achieving the common good will require a level of shrewdness and pragmatism, often missing in climate debates.
—Michael Sheldrick, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2024
By doing, and nothing more, with the lucidity and the pragmatism that have always set me apart.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 11 July 2024
Starmer, 61, says his mix of progressivism and pragmatism is the answer to this sense of brokenness.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for pragmatism 
Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 15 July 2024
Ultimately, achieving the common good will require a level of shrewdness and pragmatism, often missing in climate debates.
—Michael Sheldrick, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2024
By doing, and nothing more, with the lucidity and the pragmatism that have always set me apart.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 11 July 2024
Starmer, 61, says his mix of progressivism and pragmatism is the answer to this sense of brokenness.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for pragmatism
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 Aug. 2024.
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