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January 12, 2026

perfunctory

/pəˈfʌŋk.t(ə)ɹɪ/adjective

Done only to fulfil a duty, or in a careless or indifferent manner; performed mechanically and as a thing of rote.

Example sentence

  • He did a perfunctory job cleaning his dad's car, finishing quickly but leaving a few spots still dirty.

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