as in nonchalant
having or showing a lack of interest or concern
the violinist delivered a perfunctory performance that displayed none of the passion and warmth he was once known for
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Recent Examples of perfunctory
Every other elimination is perfunctory at best.
—
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
Later that school year, a perfunctory and poorly organized Arab Heritage Month celebration was staged to appease my public criticism of the school’s silence on Gaza.
—Sahar Mustafah
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
Despite taking up 13 whole minutes of a 49-minute run time, the sequence feels perfunctory, blessed with neither inventive choreography nor elegant camerawork and editing.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2025
Only two actors were called in, but the second was more of a perfunctory meet.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfunctory
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
Later that school year, a perfunctory and poorly organized Arab Heritage Month celebration was staged to appease my public criticism of the school’s silence on Gaza.
—Sahar Mustafah
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
Despite taking up 13 whole minutes of a 49-minute run time, the sequence feels perfunctory, blessed with neither inventive choreography nor elegant camerawork and editing.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2025
Only two actors were called in, but the second was more of a perfunctory meet.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perfunctory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfunctory
Adjective
-
Jordan Marshall isn’t nonchalant about anything.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Backing the nonchalant trio were multiple percussionists on wind chimes, congas, shakers, and more, as well as backup singers, a bassist, and an additional guitarist.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For many young women, the stiletto’s discomfort is part of the appeal, offering proof that effort and glamor remain in an age of casual sneakers.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Simple yet polished, the Anrabess Long Sleeve Midi Dress is perfect for a casual Thanksgiving feast or a fall day out on the town.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perfunctory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfunctory. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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