pragmatic

adjective

prag·mat·ic | \ prag-ˈma-tik

variants: or less commonly pragmatical \ prag-ˈma-ti-kəl

Definition of pragmatic

1 : relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters : practical as opposed to idealistic pragmatic men of power have had no time or inclination to deal with … social morality— K. B. Clark

2 : relating to or being in accordance with philosophical pragmatism

3 archaic

a(1) : busy

(2) : officious

b : opinionated

Other Words from pragmatic Synonyms & Antonyms Are you pragmatic? More Example Sentences Learn More about pragmatic

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Are you pragmatic?

The word pragmatic has been busy over its more than four centuries of use. Its earliest meanings were "busy," "meddlesome," and "opinionated," but those are now considered archaic uses. The word continues, as it has since the late 19th century, to be used in reference to the philosophical movement of pragmatism (see sense 2). And, as Merriam-Webster Unabridged reports, it also continues to be used in the field of history to describe that which deals with historical events in a way that shows their interconnection. Most often, however, we encounter pragmatic when it is being used to describe people—sometimes ourselves.

So what does it mean for a person to be pragmatic? A person who is pragmatic is concerned more with matters of fact than with what could or should be. A pragmatic person's realm is results and consequences. If that's where your focus is, you may want to apply the word to yourself.

Examples of pragmatic in a Sentence

… their pragmatic successors like Benjamin Franklin were concerned with lightning's … power but not its thrilling scenic value. — John Updike, New York Review of Books, 15 Aug. 2002 … NASA has two coexisting personae with vastly distinct characters: the somewhat romantically motivated manned space program, and the rather more pragmatic unmanned program. — David H. Freedman, Discover, July 1994 … pragmatic enough to have held on to their day jobs for years after they were putting out records. — Chris Mundy, Rolling Stone, 16 Sept. 1993 … and her mysticism never failed to exasperate her pragmatic, mountain-climbing daughter. — Salman Rushdie, The Satanic Verses, 1989 His pragmatic view of public education comes from years of working in city schools. a pragmatic man, not given to grand, visionary schemes

Recent Examples on the Web

If there is not a pragmatic solution, all options are on the table. — Larry Stumes, SFChronicle.com, "Del Mar racetrack allots no stalls to troubled trainer Jerry Hollendorfer," 10 July 2019 There is nothing at all pragmatic about providing a blank check to a partner that continues to commit major mistakes. — WSJ, "Secretary Pompeo Is Far Too Forgiving of the Saudis," 3 Dec. 2018 Will the appointee stick to McCain’s more pragmatic brand of conservatism, or embrace Trump’s narcissistic nationalism? — Grace Edquist, Teen Vogue, "Cindy McCain Could Take Her Husband's Seat in a "Widow's Succession"," 31 Aug. 2018 Allegri, conversely, employed a more conservative and pragmatic style and Sarri's main task will be trying to convert a squad that has known nothing else for the past four seasons. — Matias Grez, CNN, "Can anyone stop Juventus' march to a ninth successive title?," 22 Aug. 2019 Nora is a pragmatic and desert-hardened woman, stubborn to Crace’s bullying and with little patience for flights of fancy — and least of all for Josie, Emmett’s cousin and her helper. — Barbara Vandenburgh, USA TODAY, "Téa Obreht follows up 'The Tiger's Wife' with 'Inland' a haunted, fantastical Western," 13 Aug. 2019 Let’s hope Republican leaders can warm up to the idea of combating climate change in a realistic and pragmatic way. — Kayla Bartsch, National Review, "Are Conservatives Embracing a Carbon Tax?," 1 Aug. 2019 Scott was candid and humble, pragmatic and gracious. — Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, "Pac-12 media day takeaways: Larry Scott like we haven’t seen him; momentum for 9 a.m. kickoffs but not eight conference games," 25 July 2019 An incremental approach was pitched as an instantly helpful and politically pragmatic path toward universal coverage when Democrats first took up health care reform back in 2009. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "Biden’s Pitch to Voters: Dream Small," 19 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pragmatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for pragmatic

pragmatic

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of pragmatic

formal : dealing with the problems that exist in a specific situation in a reasonable and logical way instead of depending on ideas and theories

See the full definition for pragmatic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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pragmatic

Definition of pragmatic

Other Words from pragmatic

Synonyms & Antonyms for pragmatic

Are you pragmatic?

Examples of pragmatic in a Sentence

First Known Use of pragmatic

History and Etymology for pragmatic

English Language Learners Definition of pragmatic

pragmatic

Definition of pragmatic

Other Words from pragmatic

Synonyms & Antonyms for pragmatic

Are you pragmatic?

Examples of pragmatic in a Sentence

First Known Use of pragmatic

History and Etymology for pragmatic

English Language Learners Definition of pragmatic

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