Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

cursory

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of cursory

acting or done with excessive or careless speed

  • your essays require more than a cursory effort at proofreading
Synonyms of cursory

drive-by, flying, gadarene, hasty, headlong, helter-skelter, hurried, overhasty, pell-mell, precipitate, precipitous, rash, rushed
Words Related to cursory

breakneck, breathtaking

headstrong, heady, hotheaded, impatient, impetuous, impulsive, madcap, reckless, unadvised

quick, rapid, speedy, swift

horseback, impromptu, makeshift, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, rush, slapdash, snap, spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment

abrupt, sudden
Near Antonyms of cursory

calculated, calculating, measured

circumspect, foresighted, forethoughtful

drawn-out, extended, long-term, prolonged

faltering, hesitant, hesitating, tentative

dallying, dawdling, laggard, leisurely, poky (or pokey), shilly-shallying, slow
Antonyms of cursory

deliberate, unhurried, unrushed

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about cursory

  1. See words that rhyme with cursory Dictionary: Definition of cursory Spanish Central: Translation of cursory Nglish: Translation of cursory for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cursory for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up cursory? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games