utilitarian
noun
util·i·tar·i·an
| \ (ˌ)yü-ˌti-lə-ˈter-ē-ən
\
\
Definition of utilitarian
(Entry 1 of 2)
: an advocate or adherent of utilitarianism
utilitarian
adjectiveDefinition of utilitarian (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: of or relating to or advocating utilitarianism
2
: marked by utilitarian views or practices
3a
: of, relating to, or aiming at utility
b
: exhibiting or preferring mere utility
spare utilitarian furnishings
Examples of utilitarian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Consequentialists—including utilitarians, the most famous kind—are concerned with the outcomes and consequences of actions first and foremost. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, "Enough With the Trolley Problem," 30 Mar. 2018 Besides, as long as these readers really are utilitarians and not Kantians, there’s nothing to stop them from quietly resubscribing in a month or two. — Will Oremus, Slate Magazine, "New York Times," 1 May 2017Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
The young visionary experiments with utilitarian shapes, exaggerated silhouettes and textile play. — Ashley Rushford, Essence, "ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion Awards: Meet These International Designers On The Rise," 4 Sep. 2019 In a more utilitarian way, Ogboh’s work is portable. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Emeka Ogboh installation fills CMA atrium with sound of Nigeria and timely message of diversity," 11 Aug. 2019 The food is utilitarian and straightforward, much like the decor, and served on paper plates. — Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "When being Asian American means bacon and eggs and hamburgers," 6 June 2019 But in treating her like a member of our household, essential to the family unit for no utilitarian purpose but merely as a recipient of the generous spirit of my parents, was, to me, an American thing to witness. — Marlo Safi, National Review, "The American Art of Obsessing over Your Pets," 24 Aug. 2019 Its aesthetic and composition were utilitarian, drab even, fitting its institutional setting. — James Poniewozik, New York Times, "‘Orange Is the New Black’ Taught Us What Netflix Was For," 17 July 2019 On paper, there are some utilitarian twists to the experience here that seem daunting. — Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "Alamar’s seafood brings us back to our home shores," 26 July 2019 These included a general preference for action vs. inaction and possible preferences for moral prohibitions or utilitarian views. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "When it comes to moral decisions, testosterone doesn’t seem to do much," 23 July 2019 But the contingent fueling the boom sees e-bikes in a utilitarian light. — Fortune, "E-Bikes Sales Are Putting a Charge in the Fortunes of Bikemakers," 20 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'utilitarian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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