Utilitarian means based on the idea that the morally correct course of action is the one that produces benefit for the greatest number of people.
[technical]
It was James Mill who was the best publicist for utilitarian ideas on government.
A utilitarian is someone with utilitarian views.
One of the greatest utilitarians was Claude Helvetius.
2. adjective
Utilitarian objects and buildings are designed to be useful rather than attractive.
Bruce's office is a corner one, utilitarian and unglamorous.
Synonyms: functional, useful, practical, plain More Synonyms of utilitarian
utilitarian in British English
(juːˌtɪlɪˈtɛərɪən)
adjective
1.
of or relating to utilitarianism
2.
designed for use rather than beauty
noun
3.
a person who believes in utilitarianism
utilitarian in American English
(juˌtɪləˈtɛriən)
adjective
1.
of or having to do with utility
2.
stressing usefulness over beauty or other considerations
3.
made for or aiming at utility
4.
of, or having belief in, utilitarianism
noun
5.
a person who believes in utilitarianism
Word origin
utility + -arian: coined (1781) by Jeremy Bentham
Examples of 'utilitarian' in a sentence
utilitarian
Most of the prehistoric monuments that have come down to us served ritual or symbolic purposes, rather than utilitarian ones.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is no suggestion here that the overall pattern of desires has a utilitarian structure.
Hindess, Barry Choice, Rationality, and Social Theory (1988)
He sees the world in purely utilitarian terms.
Arthur Herman THE SCOTTISH ENLIGHTENMENT: The Scots' Invention of the Modern World (2002)
Think compact and utilitarian rather than boardroom.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
What does concern me is that these spokesmen for the arts define their value in utilitarian and financial terms.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
First, actors are rational and their rationality is understood in strictly utilitarian terms.
Hindess, Barry Choice, Rationality, and Social Theory (1988)
The Protestant view is more utilitarian.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Eighteen months ago I realised that there was a hole in my rather utilitarian collection.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It's practical, utilitarian and chic.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
That's probably a step too far for the old guard, steeped in the utilitarian view.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The Mozart effect annoys him because it seems to say that music is only worth listening to if its benefits can be measured in clinical utilitarian terms.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Maybe this is why - albeit unconsciously - the designers of these purely utilitarian structures managed so effectively to make them resemble places of worship.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
First, it treats the actor's desires as exhibiting a utilitarian structure so that an optimal outcome can normally be defined in most situations confronting the actor.
Hindess, Barry Choice, Rationality, and Social Theory (1988)
Because if arguably the world's biggest physics experiment is in any way a cathedral to science, then it is an unusually utilitarian and rather shabby one.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
(adjective)
Definition
useful rather than beautiful
Bilal's office is a corner one, utilitarian and unglamorous.
Synonyms
functional
The decor is functional.
useful
The police gained useful information about the organisation.
practical
clothes which are practical as well as stylish
plain
We are just plain people.
efficient
sensible
pragmatic
a pragmatic approach to the problems faced by Latin America
unpretentious
soulless
serviceable
His Arabic was serviceable enough.
unadorned
workaday
Additional synonyms
in the sense of plain
Definition
lowly, esp. in social rank or education
We are just plain people.
Synonyms
ordinary,
homely,
common,
simple,
modest,
everyday,
commonplace,
lowly,
unaffected,
unpretentious,
frugal,
workaday
in the sense of practical
Definition
involving the simple basics
clothes which are practical as well as stylish
Synonyms
useful,
ordinary,
appropriate,
sensible,
everyday,
functional,
utilitarian,
serviceable
in the sense of pragmatic
Definition
concerned with practical consequences rather than theory
a pragmatic approach to the problems faced by Latin America
Synonyms
practical,
efficient,
sensible,
realistic,
down-to-earth,
matter-of-fact,
utilitarian,
businesslike,
hard-headed
Nearby words of
utilitarian
usually
usurp
utensil
utilitarian
utility
utilize
utmost
Synonyms of 'utilitarian'
utilitarian
Explore 'utilitarian' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of serviceable
Definition
performing effectively
His Arabic was serviceable enough.
Synonyms
useful,
practical,
efficient,
helpful,
profitable,
convenient,
operative,
beneficial,
functional,
durable,
usable,
dependable,
advantageous,
utilitarian,
hard-wearing
in the sense of useful
Definition
able to be used advantageously or for several purposes
The police gained useful information about the organisation.