Definitions

cursory

[kur-suh-ree] / ˈkɜr sə ri /

ADJECTIVE

casual, hasty

Synonyms

STRONGEST

desultory offhand perfunctory random sketchy superficial

WEAK

brief careless depthless fast half-assed half-baked haphazard hit or miss hurried passing quick rapid shallow short slapdash slight sloppy speedy summary swift uncritical

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careful detailed

WEAK

complete meticulous painstaking perfect thorough unhurried

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cursory research shows that medical providers of all kinds routinely overbook patient appointments to make up for lost revenue from no-shows and late arrivals.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

Cursory, early searches of her social media history are turning up some truly not great stuff!

From Slate • May 14, 2022

They allow the Cursory Remarks to be excellent as a composition, but declare that it is perfectly devoid of truth.

From An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, Particularly the African Translated from a Latin Dissertation, Which Was Honoured with the First Prize in the University of Cambridge, for the Year 1785, with Additions by Clarkson, Thomas

Another Traveller: or Cursory Remarks and Critical Observations made upon a Journey through Part of the Netherlands in the latter end of the Year 1766.

From English Travellers of the Renaissance by Howard, Clare

Throughout 1782, the Cursory Observations remained at the forefront of the reaction to Milles and Bryant.

From Cursory Observations on the Poems Attributed to Thomas Rowley (1782) by Kuist, James M.

Vocabulary lists containing cursory

Grade 12, List 1

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Make a Run for It: Cur, Curs

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100 SAT words Beginning with "C"

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