tokenistically

USAGE SUMMARY

"tokenistically" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe actions or gestures that are superficial or done merely to give the appearance of inclusivity or compliance. Example: "The company implemented the policy tokenistically, without any real commitment to change." Alternative expressions include "superficially" and "nominally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Social Issues

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Indeed, the tendency to tokenistically include one female representative can contribute even more to the continued exclusion of women, in a kind of self-perpetuating cycle.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This adverb is most effective when describing institutional behavior, such as hiring practices or committee appointments, to highlight a disconnect between policy and genuine change.

Common error

Do not use "tokenistically" simply to mean 'quickly' or 'without care'. While a perfunctory act is done routinely, a tokenistic act is specifically done to create a false impression of diversity or compliance. Only use this term if the symbolic or deceptive nature of the inclusion is the main point.

Linguistic Context

As noted by Ludwig, "tokenistically" serves as an adverb of manner. It modifies verbs that describe actions of inclusion, representation or implementation. It characterizes these actions as being performed solely for the purpose of symbolic appearances rather than substantive change.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Social Issues

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

2%

Technical Documentation

1%

Fiction

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tokenistically" is a powerful adverb used to identify and criticize performative gestures of inclusivity. Ludwig AI highlights its presence in reputable news outlets like the Independent, where it is used to describe the superficial inclusion of underrepresented groups. The term is grammatically Correct and highly specific in its meaning, distinguishing itself from synonyms like "superficially" by its focus on symbolic representation. When using this word, ensure you are describing a situation where the act of inclusion is intended to stave off criticism or fulfill a quota without addressing core issues of exclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a token basis

Uses the noun form to describe the frequency or method of inclusion

superficially

Suggests a lack of depth or thoroughness without the specific connotation of symbolic representation

nominally

Indicates something exists in name only rather than in reality

symbolically

Focuses on the representative nature of the act, though not always with a negative connotation

perfunctorily

Emphasizes that an action is carried out with minimum effort or reflection

pro forma

Refers to things done as a matter of form or for the sake of appearances

cosmetically

Implies that changes are only on the surface and do not affect the core structure

insincerely

Highlights the lack of genuine belief or feeling behind the action

hollowly

Suggests the action lacks real value, significance or sincerity

for the sake of appearance

A multi-word phrase explaining the motivation behind the action

FAQs

How to use "tokenistically" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe how someone is included, for example: "The organization was criticized for including minority voices only "tokenistically" during the annual review."

What can I say instead of "tokenistically"?

You can use alternatives like "superficially", "nominally" or "symbolically" depending on the context.

Is "tokenistically" a real word?

Yes, it is the adverbial form of the adjective 'tokenistic'. It is a recognized English word used frequently in social and political commentary.

What's the difference between "tokenistically" and "perfunctorily"?

While "perfunctorily" implies doing something as a routine duty without interest, "tokenistically" specifically implies that the action is a symbolic gesture meant to prevent deeper criticism regarding a lack of diversity.