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going through the motions

ADJECTIVE
perfunctory
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cursory offhand sketchy superficial
WEAK
apathetic careless cool disinterested heedless impersonal inattentive indifferent involuntary lackadaisical laid-back mechanical negligent phoning it in routine slipshod slovenly standard stereotyped stock unaware unconcerned uninterested usual walking through it wooden
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careful complete detailed thorough
WEAK
precise thoughtful

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.

Despite the situation, some insist on going through the motions.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Mr. Bennett, age 91, and Mr. Hytner, 69, seem to be going through the motions with this effort, which feels like a forgettable Sunday-night PBS presentation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

What an incredible way to spend your time, because I've had other jobs that have felt like going through the motions or whatever.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2025

I don’t know how many people took that as anything other than going through the motions for the sake of not discouraging offers of help, but anything is possible; maybe he does believe it.

From Slate • Feb. 7, 2024

They try to yell at him, but you can tell that everyone’s going through the motions, and when Justin storms off to his room, it’s just the latest rerun of an old show.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan

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