Synonyms of cursory

cursory

adjective

ˈkərs-rē 

as in hurried

acting or done with excessive or careless speed

your essays require more than a cursory effort at proofreading

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hurried
• rushed
• hasty
• drive-by
• rash
• quick
• sudden
• impulsive
• makeshift
• headlong
• reckless
• overhasty
• rapid
• precipitous
• swift
• precipitate
• flying
• spontaneous
• abrupt
• helter-skelter
• impromptu
• gadarene
• pell-mell
• rush
• breathtaking
• slapdash
• speedy
• impatient
• impetuous
• offhand
• heady
• spur-of-the-moment
• madcap
• unadvised
• snap
• breakneck
• off-the-cuff
• hotheaded
• offhanded
• headstrong
• horseback

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deliberate
• unhurried
• circumspect
• calculated
• measured
• calculating
• prolonged
• tentative
• unrushed
• long-term
• extended
• foresighted
• hesitant
• leisurely
• slow
• faltering
• forethoughtful
• hesitating
• drawn-out
• poky
• laggard
• dallying
• dawdling
• shilly-shallying

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cursory contrast with its synonyms?

The words shallow and superficial are common synonyms of cursory. While all three words mean "lacking in depth or solidity," cursory suggests a lack of thoroughness or a neglect of details.

gave the letter only a cursory reading

When would shallow be a good substitute for cursory?

The words shallow and cursory can be used in similar contexts, but shallow is more generally derogatory in implying lack of depth in knowledge, reasoning, emotions, or character.

a light, shallow, and frivolous review

When is it sensible to use superficial instead of cursory?

The synonyms superficial and cursory are sometimes interchangeable, but superficial implies a concern only with surface aspects or obvious features.

a superficial analysis of the problem

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cursory

My general understanding of book clubs had, to that point, been cursory. — Roxane Gay, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026

Even the most cursory tour of local highlights will take you from the 2,000-year-old remains of Emperor Tiberius's cliff-top Villa Jovis to the still-buzzing purveyor of Jackie Kennedy's iconic sandals—Canfora, which anchors the Via Camerelle luxury shopping corridor. — Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2026

The evidence for humans at the infamous Cerutti Mastodon Site in California, for instance, doesn’t pass even a cursory sniff test. — ArsTechnica, 20 Mar. 2026

Trump made only a cursory effort to notify Congress before launching the attack, briefing a small circle of congressional leaders shortly before the operation was underway and leaving most lawmakers to learn of it after the fact. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 5 Mar. 2026

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