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.
Perhaps that explains her perfunctory, somewhat rote speech — which still didn’t detract from the joy of her win.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
Ms. Campbell, never the most beguiling actress, has appeared in every entry except “Scream VI” and gives another perfunctory performance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026
As I visited congressional offices this week, meeting with sources and watching members of Congress interact with their constituents, it felt perfunctory — and, in some cases, sad.
From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026
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
Carl generally fell silent when this happened, or agreed with her in a perfunctory fashion, afterward dismissing the subject.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
Vocabulary lists containing perfunctory
"The Lottery," Vocabulary from the short story
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100 Words to Make You Sound Smart
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"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
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