What does "pragmatism" mean?
The pursuit of practicality over aesthetic qualities; a concentration on facts rather than emotions or ideals.
Pragmatism
/ˈpɹæɡmətɪzəm/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The pursuit of practicality over aesthetic qualities; a concentration on facts rather than emotions or ideals.
- Grammar: pragmatism is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: animalism, atomism, behaviorism, centrism.
- Useful contrasts: aesthetic technique, communalist theory, legal doctrine.
- Usage evidence: International relations are governed by pragmatism.
How to use "pragmatism"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "pragmatism" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "pragmatism" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 The pursuit of practicality over aesthetic qualities; a concentration on facts rather than emotions or ideals. countable, uncountable
- 2 the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth wordnet
- 3 The idea that beliefs are identified with the actions of a believer, and the truth of beliefs with success of those actions in securing a believer's goals; the doctrine that ideas must be looked at in terms of their practical effects and consequences. countable, uncountable
"Our conception of these practical consequences is for us the whole of our conception of the object, so far as that conception has positive significance at all. This is the principle of [Charles Sanders] Peirce, the principle of pragmatism."
- 4 (philosophy) the doctrine that practical consequences are the criteria of knowledge and meaning and value wordnet
- 5 The theory that political problems should be met with practical solutions rather than ideological ones. countable, uncountable
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The habit of interfering in other people's affairs; meddlesomeness. countable, obsolete, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
aesthetic techniquecommunalist theorylegal doctrineutopian vision
Example
"International relations are governed by pragmatism."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "pragmatism"?
Common synonyms include: animalism, atomism, behaviorism, centrism, chernomyrdin, commonsense realism.
How do you use "pragmatism" in a sentence?
International relations are governed by pragmatism.
How do you pronounce "pragmatism"?
Pronounced /ˈpɹæɡmətɪzəm/.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek stem of πρᾶγμα (prâgma, “act”) + -ism.