What does "pragmatist" mean?
One who acts in a practical or straightforward manner; one who is pragmatic; one who values practicality or pragmatism.
Pragmatist
adj, noun
adj, noun ·3 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One who acts in a practical or straightforward manner; one who is pragmatic; one who values practicality or pragmatism.
- Grammar: pragmatist is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: adherent, busybody, buttinsky, eclectic.
- Useful contrasts: contemplative, decadent, doctrinaire.
- Usage evidence: Is Tebboune a pragmatist or an ideologue?
How to use "pragmatist"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "pragmatist" 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
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- 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 "pragmatist" 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
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "pragmatist" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "pragmatist" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "pragmatist" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "adherent" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "pragmatist", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One who acts in a practical or straightforward manner; one who is pragmatic; one who values practicality or pragmatism.
"A pragmatist would never plant such a messy tree, but I like its flowers."
- 2 a person who takes a practical approach to problems and is concerned primarily with the success or failure of their actions wordnet
- 3 One who acts in response to particular situations rather than upon abstract ideals; one who is willing to ignore their ideals to accomplish goals.
"I'm not a thief, I am a pragmatist. I need this bread to feed my family."
- 4 an adherent of philosophical pragmatism wordnet
- 5 One who belongs to the philosophic school of pragmatism; one who holds that the meaning of beliefs is the actions they entail, and that the truth of those beliefs consists in the actions they entail, successfully leading a believer to their goals.
"[S]ome pragmatists (such as William James) took a more pantheist or pandeist approach by rejecting views of God as separate from the world."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 An advocate of pragmatism.
- 7 One who studies pragmatics. uncommon
Adjective
- 1 Advocating pragmatism.
"Historians also suggest that Roosevelt was a pragmatist in foreign affairs, in that his policies were determined by practical consequences rather than by any philosophy."
Example
"Is Tebboune a pragmatist or an ideologue?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "pragmatist"?
Common synonyms include: adherent, busybody, buttinsky, eclectic, empirical, existential.
How do you use "pragmatist" in a sentence?
Is Tebboune a pragmatist or an ideologue?
Etymology
From Ancient Greek πρᾶγμα (prâgma, “thing”).