perfunctorily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfunctorily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action done with minimal effort or care, often in a routine or superficial manner. Example: "He perfunctorily completed the task, barely paying attention to the details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(That they only perfunctorily entertain the prospect of winning is its own commentary on the party's morale).Fortunately for the prime minister, this faith in Mr Johnson is unlikely to be tested soon.

The Economist

The government, it is true, perfunctorily met its manifesto promise for a free parliamentary vote on banning fox-hunting.

The Economist

And, as Ms Bardach acknowledges but explores only perfunctorily, Cuban exile opinion is plural, and becoming more so.The book begins and ends with the case of Elian Gonzalez, the unfortunate six-year-old who survived shipwreck only to fall into the hands of the relatives from hell in Miami.

The Economist

A sleepy Pakistani official reads passports in a leisurely way; the customs man searches bags perfunctorily and pesters travellers with offers to change money; porters fight over luggage; a policeman writes names in a big ledger.

The Economist

The president-in-waiting greeted him, but perfunctorily.

The Economist

The later years are treated perfunctorily, and a chapter called "The People" seems to have been included out of a sense of obligation.

The Economist

Consequently, in most countries large expenditures on military items are often treated perfunctorily while the activities of civil servants receive inordinate amounts of attention.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He enriched immeasurably the simple stories that earlier fabulists had in general been content to tell perfunctorily, subordinating them to their narrowly didactic intention.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The realistic staging and the social evils touched upon, however perfunctorily and sentimentally, anticipated the later theatre of the Naturalists.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The son of an assimilated Jew who held only perfunctorily to the religious practices and social formalities of the Jewish community, Kafka was German both in language and culture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A land commission perfunctorily set aside two reserves for the Ndebele on poor soils.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfunctorily" to precisely describe actions lacking genuine interest or effort, especially when highlighting a contrast with expected diligence or enthusiasm. For instance, "The inspection was conducted perfunctorily, missing critical safety flaws."

Common error

Avoid overusing "perfunctorily" in formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes be perceived as overly critical or judgmental. Consider more neutral alternatives like "briefly" or "quickly" if the lack of effort is not the primary focus.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "perfunctorily" functions primarily to modify verbs, indicating that an action is performed routinely and without genuine interest or care. As Ludwig highlights, it suggests a lack of enthusiasm or attention to detail in the performance of an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

21%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perfunctorily" is a grammatically sound adverb used to describe actions performed with a lack of genuine interest or effort. As Ludwig confirms, it's most common in news and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While the word is correct and its usage is acceptable in professional contexts, its use often denotes criticism so writers may want to be careful. Related phrases include "superficially" and "in a cursory manner". When using "perfunctorily", ensure it accurately reflects the intent to convey a lack of enthusiasm or attention, distinguishing it from mere carelessness or disorganization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superficially

Underscores the lack of depth or genuine engagement in the action.

as a formality

Indicates that the action is performed merely to satisfy a requirement, not out of genuine intent.

in a cursory manner

Emphasizes the superficiality and lack of thoroughness in the action.

negligently

Stresses the carelessness and lack of attention in performing the action.

in a half-hearted way

Conveys the lack of commitment and effort put into the action.

without interest

Directly states the absence of curiosity or concern in the action.

lackadaisically

Implies a lazy and indifferent manner in performing the action.

without enthusiasm

Focuses on the absence of zeal or excitement in performing the task.

mechanically

Highlights the automated and unthinking nature of the action, devoid of personal input.

in a routine fashion

Highlights the habitual and uninspired nature of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "perfunctorily" in a sentence?

You can use "perfunctorily" to describe an action done in a superficial or routine manner. For example, "The clerk "perfunctorily stamped the document" without checking its contents."

What are some alternatives to "perfunctorily"?

Alternatives include "superficially", "cursorily", or "carelessly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "perfunctorily examined" or "carelessly examined"?

"Perfunctorily examined" suggests a lack of genuine interest or effort, while "carelessly examined" implies negligence or inattention. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the lack of enthusiasm or the lack of care. If the focus is that someone didn't apply enough attention to something due to lack of care you can use the alternative. If the focus is that someone lacked the enthusiasm, then stick to the main query.

What is the difference between "perfunctorily" and "haphazardly"?

"Perfunctorily" implies a routine or superficial performance, whereas "haphazardly" suggests a lack of organization or planning. The key difference is that "haphazardly" focuses on the lack of method, while "perfunctorily" focuses on the lack of genuine interest.