cursory

adjective

cur·so·ry ˈkərs-rē

ˈkər-sə-

Synonyms of cursory next

: rapidly and often superficially performed or produced : hasty

a cursory glance

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

cursorily

ˈkərs-rə-lē

ˈkər-sə-

adverb

cursoriness

ˈkərs-rē-nəs

ˈkər-sə-

noun

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

Cursory and its synonyms superficial and shallow all mean "lacking in depth or care"—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."

Choose the Right Synonym for cursory

superficial, shallow, cursory mean lacking in depth or solidity.

superficial implies a concern only with surface aspects or obvious features.

a superficial analysis of the problem

shallow is more generally derogatory in implying lack of depth in knowledge, reasoning, emotions, or character.

a light, shallow, and frivolous review

cursory suggests a lack of thoroughness or a neglect of details.

gave the letter only a cursory reading

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 on the Web The astounding part is even a cursory examination of what is likely to happen if the U.S. attempts such policies quickly shows that the law of unintended consequences will catch up with us. —

Brynn Tannehill, The New Republic, 24 Aug. 2023 Firms would benefit from shying away from a cursory review of succession plans and holding leaders accountable for three layers deep in benchmarking and talent planning. —

Naba, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023 There were also a few law enforcement interactions with future police chiefs that weren’t quite so cursory in nature. —

John Benson, cleveland, 13 July 2023 This information is available to anyone who takes the time to conduct a cursory review of the scientific literature. —

Stuart Wallace, STAT, 26 June 2023 Three other public bodies in Morrow County have already approved the tax deals, each in cursory votes with little public discussion. —

Mike Rogoway | Mrogoway@oregonian.com, oregonlive, 26 Jan. 2023 What results is a somewhat cursory treatment of race—one that’s emblematic of the novel’s tasting-menu approach to hot-button topics. —

Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 13 June 2022 Bakewell’s treatment of the contemporary humanist movement is cursory and inadequate. —

Mark Oppenheimer, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2023 Others are sensitive to tragic news, cursory interactions or social comparison. —

Tatum Hunter, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cursory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin cursōrius "of running, swift" (Late Latin in nominal derivatives, as cursōria "shoe for running"), adjectival derivative of Latin cursor "runner" — more at cursor

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of cursory was in 1601

See more words from the same year