perfunctory

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.

Right there, you have the perfect shadow-docket sandwich: perfunctory, bad decisionmaking, conclusory predictions about what constitutes an “emergency” and who’s going to win, decided in a couple of days, wiping out extensive factual findings.

From Slate • Jan. 3, 2026

"The tsunami of complaints suggests that consultation was either perfunctory or they listened to the wrong people," Mr Pearson said.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

The perfunctory signage and wall text seem to be deliberate: How many visitors want to get bogged down in details, the GEM seems to reason.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

Norm doesn’t treat the inquiry — “How’s the world treating you, Norm?” — as perfunctory pleasantry.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2025

In their autobiographies, they recounted great races in intimate detail, but falls and injuries were glossed over with the most perfunctory language.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand