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
Testimony by Johnson’s interim chief financial officer, Steven Mahr, late last month was perfunctory, and the presence of an interim CFO not nearly enough to represent the city’s stake in all this.
—
David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The dialogue is overladen with snicker-worthy cliches, a swelling, melodramatic soundtrack that doesn’t match the mood, dubious cameos and plastic, perfunctory life-affirming quotes.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Worsley argues that Austen’s perfunctory treatment of her romantic endings hint that the men themselves, no matter how charming, are insufficient to guarantee marital bliss.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Reiner, whose demeanor in court was quiet, if not confident, said one word in the perfunctory arraignment hearing.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perfunctory
David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
The dialogue is overladen with snicker-worthy cliches, a swelling, melodramatic soundtrack that doesn’t match the mood, dubious cameos and plastic, perfunctory life-affirming quotes.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Worsley argues that Austen’s perfunctory treatment of her romantic endings hint that the men themselves, no matter how charming, are insufficient to guarantee marital bliss.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Reiner, whose demeanor in court was quiet, if not confident, said one word in the perfunctory arraignment hearing.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perfunctory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfunctory
Adjective
-
Scott inflicts Ohm’s nonchalant meanness with a piercingly perverse matter-of-factness that places the character as far away as possible from the realm of likeability.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Margot Robbie’s understanding of the assignment is evident, her fringe frame coupled with a low and loosely bound ponytail (another hallmark of the nonchalant set).—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The sport is still years away from drawing the casual fan to the arena.—
Mac Engel
March 31,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
-
It’s built for casual listening virtually anywhere, including the park, the beach, or at home, and offers up to 7 hours of battery life on a single charge.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perfunctory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfunctory. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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