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