Perfunctory (adjective)
per·func·to·ry [per-fuhngk-tuh-ree]
adjective
1. performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial: perfunctory courtesy.
2. lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent or apathetic: In his lectures he reveals himself to be merely a perfunctory speaker.
OTHER WORDS FROM PERFUNCTORY
per·func·to·ri·ly, adverb
per·func·to·ri·ness, noun
WORDS RELATED TO PERFUNCTORY
sketchy, cursory, superficial, offhand, apathetic, careless, cool, disinterested, heedless, impersonal, inattentive, indifferent, involuntary, lackadaisical, laid-back, mechanical, negligent, routine, slipshod, slovenly
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
1, 2. negligent, heedless, thoughtless, uninterested.
Antonyms
1, 2. careful, diligent.
Origin: 1575–85; < Late Latin perfunctorius negligent, superficial, derivative of perfungi to do one's job, be done, equivalent to per- per- + fung-, base of fungi to perform, function + -torius -tory
EXAMPLE SENTENCES FROM THE WEB FOR PERFUNCTORY
Ronaldo also does more than the perfunctory share of philanthropy that we expect from our athletic superstars.
WHY IT’S STILL OK TO HATE SEXY BASTARD CRISTIANO RONALDO AFTER HE SAVED TEAM USA|EMILY SHIRE|JUNE 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Frank Sinatra, who might have made a perfect Sky Masterson, made a perfunctory Nathan Detroit.
NEW YORK’S GREATEST SHOW OR HOW THEY DID NOT SCREW UP ‘GUYS AND DOLLS’|ROSS WETZSTEON|APRIL 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The debt-ceiling authorization has historically been a perfunctory mechanism.
NEVER MIND OBAMACARE. WORRY ABOUT THE DEBT CEILING.|WILLIAM L. MCCOMB|OCTOBER 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was unusual for Doc to be so perfunctory, but on this particular subject he was sticking to just the facts.
THE MYTHS OF MATTHEW SHEPARD’S INFAMOUS DEATH|STEPHEN JIMENEZ|SEPTEMBER 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Spitzer rolled his eyes at the interruption, grumbling a perfunctory “very funny.”
ELIOT SPITZER MOBBED BY PRESS, HECKLED AT FIRST CAMPAIGN STOP|DAVID FREEDLANDER|JULY 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They retire to cover earlier in the morning, and they keep more than a perfunctory outlook for the casual human being.
THE LAND OF FOOTPRINTS|STEWART EDWARD WHITE
He was perfectly willing to shake hands with them or to exchange a few perfunctory words, but perfunctory words only.
JENNIE GERHARDT|THEODORE DREISER
If goodwill can be consciously increased, the festival of Christmas will cease to be perfunctory.
THE FEAST OF ST. FRIEND|ARNOLD BENNETT
We had a sort of perfunctory supper together, and I think it cheered us all up somewhat.
DRACULA|BRAM STOKER
Bruce had already reseated himself and was pouring out a glass of port, an operation he interrupted with a perfunctory apology.
AFTERWARDS|KATHLYN RHODES