Perfunctorily

Perfunctorily describes an action performed routinely and without enthusiasm or care. It implies a lack of interest, attention, or genuine feeling in the execution of a task. The act is often done as a matter of habit or obligation, rather than from any real desire to perform well. It suggests a superficial approach, where the minimum effort is expended, and there is little commitment to achieving a high-quality outcome. This behavior often stems from boredom, indifference, or a lack of personal investment in the task at hand. It conveys a sense of detachment and a mechanical, detached performance.

Perfunctorily meaning with examples

• The clerk, clearly bored, perfunctorily processed the customer's complaint, barely making eye contact and offering canned responses. Her actions lacked any empathy or desire to assist, leaving the customer feeling unheard and frustrated. She simply went through the motions, prioritizing efficiency over customer satisfaction, and did not take care to resolve the issue.
• Having done the same chores for years, he perfunctorily swept the floor, the broom moving across the surface in a mindless rhythm. There was no pride or thoroughness in his work, he was simply completing the required task without a second thought. His indifference was quite obvious and showed in his actions.
• The actor, struggling with the role, perfunctorily delivered his lines, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. The audience could sense the lack of engagement, the performance coming across as insincere. There was no emotional connection from the actor to the character, thus, ruining any connection with the audience.
• The team's perfunctorily approach to the project lead to a subpar product. They did not check their work for errors. Their lack of effort was obvious to everyone and resulted in them failing to meet the objectives, despite their ample time and resources. This resulted in a considerable loss for the organization.