What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pragmatism
Example
The company's success is due to its pragmatism in adapting to changing market conditions. [pragmatism: noun]
Example
She approached the project with a pragmatic mindset, focusing on what would work best in practice. [pragmatic: adjective]
expediency
Example
The politician's decision was motivated by expediency rather than principle. [expediency: noun]
Example
It may be expedient to delay the project until we have more resources available. [expedient: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pragmatism is more commonly used than expediency in everyday language, especially in academic and philosophical contexts. Expediency is less common and often used in a negative sense.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pragmatism and expediency?
Pragmatism is generally considered a more formal word than expediency, which is often associated with a negative or cynical tone.
