View synonyms for utilitarian

utilitarian

[ yoo-til-i-tair-ee-uhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

pertaining to or consisting in utility.
having regard to utility or usefulness rather than beauty, ornamentation, etc.
Synonyms: sensible, functional, useful, practical
of, relating to, or adhering to the doctrine of utilitarianism.

utilitarian

/ juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛərɪən /

First recorded in 1775–85; utilit(y) + -arian

Is that a utilitarian approach—that you need to understand how institutions have changed to understand the way they are?

He even dresses Foster like one of his male heroes—her tank top utilitarian, without gender.

Everything is meant to be utilitarian and efficient, at the expense of relaxation or comfort.

The problem is that professional intelligence is mechanical and functional – utilitarian.

The available options were utilitarian and only came in a few colors.

He finished his strictly utilitarian household labor and went off up the flat to the sluice boxes.

His old enemy, the utilitarian theory, had taken subtle root in his affections.

It was impossible, he thought, on utilitarian principles to make men work for the happiness of the many.

It is the intense appreciation of this truth that gives the Mosaic institutions so practical and utilitarian a character.

Helen thought his utilitarian dislike of idleness was open to this objection, but it was not the time to urge Bob's cause.

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