desultory

USAGE SUMMARY

'desultory' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective meaning 'random', 'without plan or purpose' or 'aimless'. Example sentence: She took a desultory approach to her studies, often jumping between topics without focusing on any one for long.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Heath's desultory 6% is unsurprising, given the demographic of Guardian Unlimited users.

The Guardian

I slide the water bowl under its nose, and it takes a few desultory laps.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After a few moments of desultory flicking, the actor noticed the director shaking his head.

The Guardian

Ninety-nine evenings out of 100 you have nothing to do except keep a desultory ear on the show relay system and wait to go home; custom dictates that as soon as the actor you are covering has stepped on stage for his last entrance of the evening, you can leave the building.

The Guardian

On arrival in Jakarta, desultory passport inspectors may keep him waiting in line for an hour.

The Economist

His was the eighth administration to go in ten years of Nepali democracy, and showed once again that the fall of governments is as wearily predictable, and nearly as frequent, as a fall of snow in this mountain country.The reasons for this one's collapse were as much to do with personal sniping as with the government's desultory record.

The Economist

Since late 2002 everything from rich-country shares to emerging-market bonds have soared as American investors, who save almost nothing, have sought better returns than the desultory ones available from popping their money in the bank.The numbers are striking.

The Economist

Having few Serbs, it was allowed to slip away, after a desultory ten-day war.

The Economist

Mr Clinton even depicted Mr Gingrich as a cry-baby after the speaker complained about his economy-class treatment on Air Force One (lesson: keep your mouth shut).Since Mr Clinton's re-election in 1996 and a desultory Republican attempt to oust its speaker (providing him, inevitably, with another lesson: keep your eye on the ball), Mr Gingrich has seemed a chastened man.

The Economist

Except for the occasional desultory exchange of tank and artillery fire, everything seems asleep.

The Economist

Of the desultory crew of candidates being mooted, the three most likely share a salient characteristic: they are dependably "pro-Beijing".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "desultory", ensure the context clearly indicates a lack of planning, purpose, or enthusiasm. It's most effective when describing actions, efforts, or discussions that lack direction or commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "desultory" when you simply mean 'brief' or 'short'. "Desultory" implies a lack of seriousness or purpose, not just brevity.

Linguistic Context

The word "desultory" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something characterized by a lack of planning, enthusiasm, or consistency. Ludwig AI indicates the word is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desultory" is an adjective used to describe something lacking purpose, enthusiasm, or planning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and frequently used term, predominantly found in News & Media. While alternatives like "aimless" or "half-hearted" exist, "desultory" carries a specific connotation of apathy or lack of direction. When using "desultory", ensure the context appropriately reflects this lack of seriousness or commitment. Remember that its usage implies more than just brevity; it suggests a fundamental absence of intent or focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aimless

Focuses on the lack of direction or goal.

random

Emphasizes the lack of pattern or predictability.

half-hearted

Highlights the lack of enthusiasm or commitment.

lackadaisical

Suggests a lazy and careless approach.

unmethodical

Focuses on the absence of a systematic approach.

perfunctory

Implies a superficial or routine performance.

casual

Emphasizes the informal and relaxed nature.

sporadic

Indicates that something occurs irregularly.

disjointed

Highlights a lack of coherence or connection.

inconsistent

Stresses the lack of uniformity or regularity.

FAQs

How can I use "desultory" in a sentence?

You can use "desultory" to describe actions or efforts that lack purpose or enthusiasm. For example, "The team made a "desultory" attempt to improve their performance."

What can I say instead of "desultory"?

You can use alternatives like "aimless", "half-hearted", or "lackadaisical" depending on the context.

Is "desultory" a positive or negative word?

"Desultory" generally has a negative connotation, implying a lack of seriousness, purpose, or enthusiasm.

What's the difference between "desultory" and "perfunctory"?

"Desultory" suggests a lack of purpose or planning, while "perfunctory" implies that something is done as a matter of routine with little interest or care.