Perfunctory

adjective

/pəˈfʌŋktəri/

(Of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection, as a routine duty rather than from genuine interest; superficial, cursory and lacking enthusiasm.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

When grievance-redressal mechanisms become perfunctory exercises in box-ticking rather than genuine instruments of accountability, citizens' faith in the responsiveness of the administrative state steadily erodes.

Synonyms

cursorysuperficialmechanicalhalf-heartedcasualtoken

Antonyms

thoroughdiligentconscientiouspainstaking

🌱 Word Family

perfunctorily (adv), perfunctoriness (n), fungible (adj), defunct (adj)

🔡 Root

Latin per- = through; fungi = to perform → perfungi = to discharge; perfunctorius = done carelessly

📜 Etymology

Late 16th century, from Late Latin perfunctorius "done in a careless or superficial manner", from Latin perfungi "to discharge, get through, accomplish" (per- "through" + fungi "to perform"). The root fungi also underlies function, defunct and fungible.

🧠 Memory Hook

Think "PERFORM a FUNCTION" but only just: from Latin per- + fungi "to perform" — a perfunctory worker performs the function in name only, going through the motions without heart.

🏛️ Governance 📖 Seen in: Governance, Transparency & Accountabil...

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