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perfunctory

[per-fuhngk-tuh-ree] / pərˈfʌŋk tə ri /


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

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

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

The one-eyed angel nodded a perfunctory “Hola” to Amarante, folded its beat-up wings—whose feathers rattled obscenely like those of a zopilote—and, like someone catering to hemorrhoids, eased painfully down nearby with an audible “Whew.”

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols




Vocabulary lists containing perfunctory


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