Antonyms for perfunctory

Grammar : Adj

Spell : per-fuhngk-tuh-ree

Phonetic Transcription : pərˈfʌŋk tə ri

Definition of perfunctory

Origin : 1580s, from Late Latin perfunctorius "careless, negligent," literally "like one who wishes to get through a thing," from Latin perfungus, past participle of perfungi "discharge, busy oneself, get through," from per- "through" + fungi "perform" (see function (n.)). Related: Perfunctorily.

adj automatic, unthinking

Example sentences :

She began to fry her pork and apples, with a perfunctory attempt at conversation.
Extract from : « Tiverton Tales » by Alice Brown

He fell to them with only a perfunctory acknowledgment of my agency in procuring them.
Extract from : « Ruggles of Red Gap » by Harry Leon Wilson

The tone of the question revealed its perfunctory character.
Extract from : « The Market-Place » by Harold Frederic

Teaching "at" these things in a dull, perfunctory way will do no good.
Extract from : « Rural Life and the Rural School » by Joseph Kennedy

He thought it best to give a perfunctory grunt and hope Jeff would go on.
Extract from : « The Prisoner » by Alice Brown

But these examinations seemed to be perfunctory, and nobody was detained.
Extract from : « The Crimson Tide » by Robert W. Chambers

One of the passengers had already lifted his, in a weary, perfunctory way.
Extract from : « Snow-Bound at Eagle's » by Bret Harte

He greeted her with a kiss, but hers in return was perfunctory.
Extract from : « An American Suffragette » by Isaac N. Stevens

When work begins to be perfunctory, play is the only remedy.
Extract from : « How to Add Ten Years to your Life and to Double Its Satisfactions » by S. S. Curry

In the most perfunctory and glib manner I gave the Royal Toast.
Extract from : « The Confessions of a Caricaturist, Vol 2 (of 2) » by Harry Furniss

Synonyms for perfunctory

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019