perfunctory

adjective

per·func·to·ry pər-ˈfəŋ(k)-t(ə-)rē

Synonyms of perfunctory next

: characterized by routine or superficiality : mechanical

a perfunctory smile

: lacking in interest or enthusiasm

perfunctorily

pər-ˈfəŋ(k)-t(ə-)rə-lē

adverb

perfunctoriness

pər-ˈfəŋ(k)-t(ə-)rē-nəs

noun

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A perfunctory explanation of the origins of perfunctory would be this: it comes from Latin. Borrowed in the late 16th century, the word is specifically from the Late Latin perfunctorius, meaning "done in a careless or superficial manner." Perfunctorius ultimately comes from two Latin sources, per-, meaning "through," and fungi, meaning "to perform." Fungi is also a source to such words as function, defunct, and fungible, but not to fungus; that word is also from Latin, but it is most likely a modification of the Greek word spongos, meaning "sponge."

Examples of perfunctory in a Sentence

The eight-time Pro Bowl player sometimes goes several weeks without agreeing to do even the most perfunctory postgame interviews. —

Nunyo Demasio, Sports Illustrated, 8 Jan. 2007

Convivial and self-absorbed, he talks freely about crime and crooks, with only the most perfunctory nods toward conventional morality. —

Edward Dolnick, The Rescue Artist, 2005

You probably don't want to know how perfunctory was the presentation of the state's evidence, how tenth-rate was the performance of the court-appointed defense or how wretched was the end. —

Christopher Hitchens, Nation, 23-30 Aug. 1999

the violinist delivered a perfunctory performance that displayed none of the passion and warmth he was once known for

Recent Examples on the Web Michelle’s pursuit of health-care reform is explained in a perfunctory flashback to her father’s inadequate hospital treatment; later in the same episode, her arc is braided with that of Betty nursing a shoulder injury while looking after her children. —

Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2022 Naomi and Sandy may be perfunctory Jews, but their ‘70s commune was a Buddhist retreat. —

John Domini, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2023 With the filing of a perfunctory final order, the Connecticut Supreme Court has approved minimal revisions to a 20-year-old congressional map and authorized payment of $89,800 to the special master who produced it. —

Mark Pazniokas, courant.com, 11 Feb. 2022 Drawn largely from interview tapes of what would eventually make up Gregory’s 1964 memoir, the opening section feels perfunctory. —

Michael Anthony Neal, Washington Post, 2 Dec. 2022 However, the gestures at intersectionality come off as perfunctory and are often compromised by stereotypes. —

Amanda Chen, The New Republic, 1 Dec. 2022 Monastic in its vaulted ceilings and barebones décor, the service is perfunctory but pleasant, overseen by an owner who’s a ringer for Samuel Beckett. —

John Mariani, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2022 Congress has since blocked Mr. Castillo from traveling abroad to represent Peru on official business, turning a routine and perfunctory vote allowing a president to travel outside the country into a political weapon. —

Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2022 Cheney survived her vote by a secret ballot, with McCarthy giving a perfunctory speech in her defense. —

Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2022 See More

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