pragmatists

Noun

pragmatist (plural pragmatists)

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. 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.
3. 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.2007, John Lachs, Robert Talisse, American Philosophy: An Encyclopedia, page 310
4. An advocate of pragmatism.
5. (uncommon) One who studies pragmatics.

   Synonyms:

   pragmatician

See all 6 meanings of pragmatist