Perfunctory
Hugs that miss the shoulder, emails that start with Hope this finds you well, and safety videos everyone fast-forwards prove the same point.
Learn This WordMeaning
Carried out with minimal effort or interest; done merely as a routine duty.
Memory trick
PER-FUNCTORY: just functioning enough to pass, not caring deeply.
Examples
The perfunctory review missed obvious accessibility issues.
He offered a perfunctory apology that convinced no one.
A perfunctory checklist is worse than no checklist at all.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Late Latin perfunctorius "done carelessly," from perfungi "to get through."
Usage Notes
Strongly negative; suggests going through motions without real attention.
Real-life contexts
Use in retros: "Our testing became perfunctory under deadline pressure."
Use in quality culture: "Avoid perfunctory approvals."
Use in communication: "A perfunctory response can damage trust."
Common Mistakes
Perfunctory is about low effort/engagement, not simply being brief.
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Part of Speech
adjective
Difficulty
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