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.

The much criticised Youssef Chermiti scored an extraordinary double before Kasper Schmeichel flapped at Mikey Moore's perfunctory shot.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 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

It is preceded by musings that perhaps a king shouldn’t have the absolute powers he does—which felt like a perfunctory contemporary allusion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2025

Not just a perfunctory curling of the lips, but a warm, toothy grin.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss