Shallowly

Shallowly is an adverb that describes something done in a superficial or cursory manner, lacking depth, thought, or thoroughness. It can refer to actions, ideas, emotions, or even physical depth. It suggests a lack of substance, complexity, or profoundness. When something is done shallowly, it's often quick, easy, and perhaps even careless, without giving careful consideration to the details or the potential impact of those details. This lack of depth might be due to laziness, insufficient knowledge, or a lack of genuine concern. Furthermore, it can imply a limited perspective or understanding, failing to delve beneath the surface appearance. The effect of doing something shallowly can result in poor outcomes or overlooked consequences.

Shallowly meaning with examples

• The research was conducted shallowly, neglecting crucial sources and failing to address counterarguments. The conclusions drawn were therefore unreliable and lacked the thoroughness needed for such a comprehensive topic. The shallow approach resulted in inaccurate information being presented, causing misunderstandings and ultimately hindering any actual progress in the field. The final report did not stand up under the weight of in-depth analysis.
• He felt the emotional bond shallowly, offering only perfunctory condolences after the loss. His response showed little empathy or genuine care, leaving the recipient feeling dismissed and unsupported. The shallow words did nothing to ease their grief, as there was no understanding behind his attempts at comfort. He barely seemed bothered by the event, showing he had no emotional capacity to help ease the pain of the other person involved.
• The construction of the foundation was carried out shallowly; a few inches instead of the needed depth for structural integrity. The resulting building was unstable, and began to show cracks within the first year. This shallow building ultimately cost more to fix than it would have to do it correctly in the first place. The shortcut, which was implemented to save money, had the opposite result.
• She read the novel shallowly, skimming the text and missing the deeper themes and symbolic elements. As a result, she did not understand the underlying message. She failed to notice the plot nuances. The lack of understanding of the themes and overall story arc did not allow her to have a grasp of the overall story arc; leaving her disappointed with the storyline.