Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Outside, in the sun-baked courtyard ringing the building, a few students wandered around desultorily.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2023

Officials standing guard at hospital entrances conduct temperature checks and desultorily take notes, but some visitors can pass through undetected when the guards are tired or have gone for a lunch break.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 31, 2020

Sitting side by side, they combed desultorily through oddments dusted with memories — his school yearbooks, clippings resurrecting high school baseball feats, a cassette tape of the “Star Wars” Christmas album.

From New York Times • Apr. 30, 2016

On the afternoon of May 23, 2013, Lu and a group of villagers in No. 30 were chatting desultorily.

From Slate • Sep. 4, 2015

Grover began to eat desultorily, and as Janis hadn’t had anything yet either, everyone else nibbled to keep them company.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen