pragmatist

Definition of pragmatistnext

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pragmatist In Caracas, the US captured and arrested former President Nicolas Maduro, and a US-friendly pragmatist from within the government emerged to cut a deal. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026 One of the many hats worn by the pragmatist Larijani was his role as a leading negotiator tasked with finding common ground with Washington. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026 The fact that Ellison may be more of a pragmatist than a Rupert Murdoch–style ideologue could serve some cold comfort to those at CNN who fear not only cuts but an editorial shift of the kind that has occurred at CBS News. Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026 But for the first time in a long time, Manchester United will go into all of those fixtures looking more like their old selves, with good players in good form, a pragmatist picking the team and plenty of rest. Matt Slater, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 Brunson, ever the pragmatist, preferred not to take that chance. Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026 Aussie newcomer Yerin Ha is the juggernaut's new leading lady—a strong yet soft pragmatist whose quiet charisma hooks Benedict, the ton, and, soon enough, audiences everywhere. InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026 The anti-establishment pragmatist calls out both parties for failure and takes difficult positions on visible issues like border security, while showing flexibility on implementation. Will Johnson, Time, 1 Jan. 2026 Originally thought by analysts to be too liberal to be an effective leader, her legacy is ultimately that of a centrist and legislative pragmatist. NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pragmatist
Noun
  • Curry is the ultimate realist and the ultimate dreamer.
    Sports Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Feb. 2026
  • Welch was not a rabid anti-communist, just a realist who wanted to protect Fisher by ensuring this past association would not be used against him.
    Kristen Monroe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The dollar amount was chosen arbitrarily based on what voters might accept, and some cynics saw it as a move by a pro-development commission to cozy up to environmentalists.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The move there, after four years in Washington and eight years as mayor of South Bend, drew sneers from cynics: The governorship and a Senate seat were opening up, and there was talk of Buttigieg’s running for one or the other.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pragmatist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pragmatist. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster