as in nonchalant
having or showing a lack of interest or concern
the violinist delivered a perfunctory performance that displayed none of the passion and warmth he was once known for
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Recent Examples of perfunctory
LaToya Jackson answers my questions in a polite but perfunctory monotone.
—
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Both actors have made the time spent on the investigation side of the show enjoyable, even at its most perfunctory.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
Underwriting of credit card grants is perfunctory at best.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026
Brussels issued only a perfunctory rebuke.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perfunctory
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Both actors have made the time spent on the investigation side of the show enjoyable, even at its most perfunctory.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
Underwriting of credit card grants is perfunctory at best.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026
Brussels issued only a perfunctory rebuke.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perfunctory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfunctory
Adjective
-
Jurk was rather nonchalant following the punch as Castillo lay on the floor, prompting an announcer to say the medics should be in the ring.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
Her nonchalant reaction and control of her emotions went viral, gathering 26 million views on YouTube.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Now even casual drinkers seem to be on a journey of sorts—if not toward sobriety, then toward some kind of self-knowledge.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and does not spread through casual contact or air.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perfunctory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfunctory. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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