pragmatic
Focused on results
Pragmatic is a somewhat formal way of saying practical, that is, relating to what is possible or can actually be done, as opposed to what is theoretical or intellectual: Everyone welcomed the new mayor’s pragmatic approach to the city’s long-term problems.
More narrowly, pragmatic can refer to the philosophical school called pragmatism, which emphasizes practical application as the main criterion for assessing meaning, truth, or value.
Stable and realistic
- levelheadedCalm and judicious
- clear-eyedPerceiving without distortion
- sensibleShowing good judgment
- down-to-earthPractical and without pretension
commonsensical · sober · objective · matter-of-fact · hardheaded · judicious · shrewd · discerning
Involving direct physical engagement
- functionalAble to operate correctly
- workableAble to be implemented
- applicableAble to be used
- actionableAble to be acted upon
feasible · usable · operational · effective · useful · tangible · implementable · real-world
Clear and uncomplicated
- bluntDull or tactlessly direct
- candidHonest and direct
- frankOpen and direct
- unembellishedWithout decorative additions
unvarnished · businesslike · direct · plain-spoken · unsentimental · unromantic · stern · austere
Able to bend freely
- versatileCapable in varied contexts
- adjustableAble to be changed
- resilientAble to recover quickly
- accommodatingWilling to help others
expedient · situational · case-by-case · improvising · responsive · resourceful · nimble · agile
Accomplished goal or deed
- performanceCarrying out a task
- deliverablesContracted work products owed
- metricsStandards for assessment
- objectivesIntended targets or ends
execution · implementation · measurable · cost-benefit · trade-offs · optimization · efficiency · ROI
American pragmatist philosopher-psychologist
- John DeweyProgressive pedagogy theorist
- instrumentalismTheories as useful tools
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- consequentialismEthics judging by results
functionalism · pluralism · anti-foundationalism · epistemology · inquiry · verification
grounded
Stable and realistic
- levelheadedCalm and judicious
- clear-eyedPerceiving without distortion
- sensibleShowing good judgment
down-to-earth · commonsensical · sober · objective · matter-of-fact · hardheaded · judicious · shrewd · discerning · rational
hands-on
Involving direct physical engagement
- functionalAble to operate correctly
- workableAble to be implemented
- applicableAble to be used
actionable · feasible · usable · operational · effective · useful · tangible · implementable · real-world · concrete
straightforward
Clear and uncomplicated
unembellished · unvarnished · businesslike · direct · plain-spoken · unsentimental · unromantic · stern · austere · spartan
flexible
Able to bend freely
- versatileCapable in varied contexts
- adjustableAble to be changed
- resilientAble to recover quickly
accommodating · expedient · situational · case-by-case · improvising · responsive · resourceful · nimble · agile · opportunistic
achievement
Accomplished goal or deed
- performanceCarrying out a task
- deliverablesContracted work products owed
- metricsStandards for assessment
objectives · execution · implementation · measurable · cost-benefit · trade-offs · optimization · efficiency · ROI · benchmarks
William James
American pragmatist philosopher-psychologist
- John DeweyProgressive pedagogy theorist
- instrumentalismTheories as useful tools
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
consequentialism · functionalism · pluralism · anti-foundationalism · epistemology · inquiry · verification
- SAT vocabularyaesthetic, ambiguous, benevolent, candid, concise
- practicalrealistic, sensible, reasonable, down-to-earth, no-nonsense
- philosophical termsSocratic, Kantian, Cartesian, Aristotelian, dialectical
- politicalconservative, liberal, moderate, centrist, leftist
- attitudespositive, negative, ambition, apathy, curiosity
- no-frillsno-frills, bare-bones, basic, plain, simple
pragmaticidealistic
Pursuing unrealistic standards
impractical · unrealistic · utopian · quixotic · visionary
pragmaticsentimental
Excessively emotional about memories
romantic · emotional · softhearted · tenderhearted · idealistic
pragmatictheoretical
Based on hypothesis, untested
theoretic · impractical · abstract · speculative · doctrinaire
- pragmatic markersWords structuring conversation flow
pragmatism, pragmatist, pragmatically, pragmatics, pragmatists, pragmatical