utilitarian

Word relationships

• pragmatic: 'Pragmatic' means realistic and practical, whereas 'utilitarian' specifically links value to utility or moral consequentialism.
• functional: Describes physical objects built for use, while 'utilitarian' also applies to complex moral philosophy.

• deontological: Ethical view holding that actions are inherently right or wrong regardless of consequences.
• ornamental: Designed solely for decoration rather than practical utility.

Commonly confused with

• pragmatic: Pragmatic means practical in problem-solving; utilitarian means maximizing utility/welfare or being purely functional.

Word family

• utilitarianism (noun): The ethical doctrine that actions are right if they maximize overall happiness.
• utility (noun): State of being useful or beneficial.

Collocations

• utilitarian ethics
• utilitarian calculation
• utilitarian design
• utilitarian perspective

Idioms & expressions

• the greatest good for the greatest number

Example sentences

• "A utilitarian calculation might justify public health restrictions if they maximize overall community safety." Ethics
• "The government building featured a strictly utilitarian design without decorative flourishes." Architecture

Memory hook

UTILITARIAN focuses on UTILITY—what is useful and beneficial for the majority. Practical usefulness maximizing overall good.

When not to use

In general usage, it describes plain functional objects; in philosophical contexts, it refers strictly to outcome-focused consequentialist ethics.

Fun facts

• Jeremy Bentham asked that his stuffed body (the 'Auto-Icon') be preserved at University College London, reflecting his radical utilitarian personality.

Related words

egalitarian, pluralism

Explore more words

utilitarianism, consequentialism, utility, ergonomic, altruistic, realpolitik

Also appears in

• Demographics & Urban Studies → Civic Infrastructure & Utilities
• Philosophy → Utilitarianism & Consequentialism
• Philosophy → Pragmatism & Instrumentalism