noun · neutral
pragmatism
/ˈpræɡmətɪzəm/PRAG·ma·tism
A practical approach that focuses on what works rather than on theory or ideology.
Examples
“Pragmatism in policy-making often means testing small-scale pilots before national rollout.”
“Her pragmatism led her to negotiate with both sides to reach a workable compromise.”
“Some educators argue for pragmatism: teach skills students will actually use.”
Band 8 sentence
“Successful policymakers combine pragmatism with long-term vision so that feasible reforms lead to sustainable change.”
Collocations
- a pragmatic approach
- political pragmatism
- pragmatism over ideology
Word family
Common mistakes
pragmaticism→pragmatism
a pragmatism approach→a pragmatic approach
Say it for a higher band
5practical approach→6practicality→7+pragmatism
Synonyms
practicality
Easily confused
practicality
“The practicality of the proposal convinced the committee to fund the pilot project.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In -ism
Learn it with its set