cursory

adjective cur·so·ry \ ˈkərs-rē , ˈkər-sə- \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: cursory in a Sentence

Editor's Note: What Is the Difference Between cursory,superficial, and shallow?

Definition of cursory

: rapidly and often superficially performed or produced : hasty

a cursory glance

Only a cursory inspection of the building's electrical wiring was done.

—

cursorily

play \ˈkərs-rə-lē, ˈkər-sə-\ adverb

—

cursoriness

play \ˈkərs-rē-nəs, ˈkər-sə-\ noun

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Examples of cursory in a Sentence

Only a cursory inspection of the building's electrical wiring was done.
The mayor gave a cursory glance at the report.
Even the most cursory look at the organization's records shows problems.

Recent Examples of cursory from the Web

Even the most-cursory look at their story brings up nagging questions.

— bill goodykoontz, Detroit Free Press, "Review: Documentary explores a dark family reunion," 13 July 2018
Even the most-cursory look at their story brings up nagging questions.

— bill goodykoontz, Detroit Free Press, "Review: Documentary explores a dark family reunion," 13 July 2018
The fault for this lies with an inanimate board of directors led by Probst, that apparently has failed to exercise even cursory oversight.

— sally jenkins, chicagotribune.com, "The USOC needs a leader who cares about athletes more than expense accounts," 5 July 2018
But The Times’ review of federal documents and lawsuits turned up cases in which Americans were arrested based on mistakes or cursory ICE investigations and some who were repeatedly targeted because the government failed to update its records.

— joel rubin, latimes.com, "ICE held an American man in custody for 1,273 days. He’s not the only one who had to prove his citizenship," 27 Apr. 2018
Even the most-cursory look at their story brings up nagging questions.

— bill goodykoontz, Detroit Free Press, "Review: Documentary explores a dark family reunion," 13 July 2018
The Miami Heat's interest in Carmelo Anthony has proven more than cursory, with ESPN reporting Tuesday that the Heat have met with representatives for the Oklahoma City Thunder forward.

— ira winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Carmelo Anthony as a Heat option grows as a possibility," 10 July 2018
Any allegation of having taken up arms for the militant group can bring the ultimate penalty, even while the evidence is thin and cursory.

— hamza hendawi, Washington Post, "A neighbor’s word can bring death sentence in Iraq IS trials," 9 July 2018
Any allegation of having taken up arms for the militant group can bring the ultimate penalty, even while the evidence is thin and cursory.

— hamza hendawi, Fox News, "A neighbor's word can bring death sentence in Iraq IS trials," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cursory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

What Is the Difference Between cursory,superficial, and shallow?

Cursory and its synonyms "superficial" and "shallow" all mean "lacking in depth or solidity" - but these words are not used in exactly the same way in all cases. "Cursory," which comes from the Latin verb currere ("to run"), implies speed and stresses a lack of attention to detail. While "cursory" suggests a lack of thoroughness, "superficial" implies a concern only with surface aspects or obvious features. An analysis of a problem might be labeled "superficial" if it considers only the obvious and fails to dig deeper into the issue. "Shallow" is more generally derogatory in implying lack of depth in knowledge, reasoning, emotions, or character, as in "insensitive and shallow comments."