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
From then on, the storytelling goes slack and perfunctory as sharks swarm and chomp on passengers and crew clinging for dear lives on rafts or slabs of plane wreckage.
—
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
LaToya Jackson answers my questions in a polite but perfunctory monotone.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Both actors have made the time spent on the investigation side of the show enjoyable, even at its most perfunctory.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
Underwriting of credit card grants is perfunctory at best.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perfunctory
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
LaToya Jackson answers my questions in a polite but perfunctory monotone.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
Both actors have made the time spent on the investigation side of the show enjoyable, even at its most perfunctory.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
Underwriting of credit card grants is perfunctory at best.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perfunctory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfunctory
Adjective
-
In the world of street style, models offer a particular brand of nonchalant cool that the industry has long been obsessed with.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
25 May 2026
-
Her nonchalant reaction makes sense considering the Timberwolves scored 37 runs in their last three regular season games and 32 runs in their three playoff games entering Saturday.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
For a second option, guests can dine at the clubhouse on the golf course with a more casual menu.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
-
Aniston gave the classic style a relaxed update while appearing in an Instagram clip with Courteney Cox, opting for loose cut-off jean shorts with subtle distressing that felt casual and easy to move around in.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perfunctory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfunctory. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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