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
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
What surprised me at the time was how homogeneous board discussions and decisions were, with votes often being unanimous and seemingly perfunctory.
From The Wall Street Journal • 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
“I’m not sure,” she said, giving me a perfunctory, patronizing smile, “that you’re Princeton material.”
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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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