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
Only two actors were called in, but the second was more of a perfunctory meet.
—
Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
The awards are granted by County Commission votes, which are typically perfunctory at the end of a meeting.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
Time after time, your off-brand chocobo will deliver you to a monster's lair for a perfunctory pummeling while your companions spout exposition.
—James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
The doc opens with a perfunctory overview of the artist’s early life, touching briefly on his childhood in Chicago and how the church introduced him to and shaped his musical style.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfunctory
Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
The awards are granted by County Commission votes, which are typically perfunctory at the end of a meeting.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 July 2025
Time after time, your off-brand chocobo will deliver you to a monster's lair for a perfunctory pummeling while your companions spout exposition.
—James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
The doc opens with a perfunctory overview of the artist’s early life, touching briefly on his childhood in Chicago and how the church introduced him to and shaped his musical style.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfunctory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfunctory
Adjective
-
Warren, in his typically nonchalant fashion, downplayed his early impact in the Colts’ offense.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Faced with punishment from school administrators, Westman appeared alternately nervous and nonchalant, the former employee said.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Streaming platforms have blurred the line between prestige drama and casual binge.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Ranging in sizes 4 Petite to 24 Plus, this casual yet classy dress features button cuff sleeves, a flattering tie closure, and over a dozen colors to choose from.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perfunctory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfunctory. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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