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.

There’s a wildness of incident combined with a perfunctoriness of psychology that ultimately makes it difficult to invest any real emotional capital in the experience of reading it.

From Slate • Sep. 6, 2013

There was, however, a perfunctoriness in his manner ‘as if the glory of exhibition had lost somewhat of its novelty, though he was still willing to oblige.’

From The Bibliotaph and Other People by Vincent, Leon H. (Leon Henry)

There was an air about the service of perfunctoriness and lack of object, which made the service indefinite and aimless.

From Russell H. Conwell by Burr, Agnes Rush

It had been performed with the unsmiling perfunctoriness of the nurse; an act of duty, not of tenderness.

From The Rough Road by Locke, William John

It had touched her, surrounded as she was by perfunctoriness and embarrassment that this young girl should seek her out in that warm way.

From Fidelity A Novel by Glaspell, Susan