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
Yet the tension between pragmatism and party loyalty for Johnson was there from the start.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 July 2024
On the flip side: Couldn’t some level of pragmatism on who the buyers might be show the right collision of fantasy and reality, in the founder’s mind?
—Byandy Dunn, Fortune, 27 June 2024
Former Justice Stephen Breyer continues to write in favor of a theory of judicial pragmatism in contrast to Scalia’s originalism.
—Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review, 25 June 2024
Dunleavy is open about striking a balance between patience and urgency, between pragmatism and doing right by the superstars who lifted the franchise on their shoulders.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for pragmatism 
David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 July 2024
On the flip side: Couldn’t some level of pragmatism on who the buyers might be show the right collision of fantasy and reality, in the founder’s mind?
—Byandy Dunn, Fortune, 27 June 2024
Former Justice Stephen Breyer continues to write in favor of a theory of judicial pragmatism in contrast to Scalia’s originalism.
—Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review, 25 June 2024
Dunleavy is open about striking a balance between patience and urgency, between pragmatism and doing right by the superstars who lifted the franchise on their shoulders.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 24 June 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 15 Jul. 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
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