perfunctoriness
Going through motions
Perfunctoriness is the quality of doing something with minimal effort or care, merely going through the motions.
It describes actions performed as routine obligations rather than with genuine interest or attention: The perfunctoriness of his apology made it worse than saying nothing.
The word captures that visible lack of investment—the handshake that's too brief, the thank-you note that's clearly a template.
Lack of neatness
- shoddinessInferior construction quality
- superficialityAbsence of meaningful depth
- hasteExcessive quickness
- cursoryHasty and incomplete
rushed · slipshod · inadequacy · incompleteness · carelessness · negligence · mediocrity · shortcuts
Lack of interest
- apathyAbsence of feeling
- disinterestAbsence of bias
- carelessnessInattention causing mistakes
- negligenceFailure to exercise care
detachment · unconcern · halfheartedness · listlessness · nonchalance · dismissiveness · inattention · passivity
Strict observance of convention
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
- obligationRequired task or commitment
duty · gesture · motions · rote · ritual · procedural · ceremonial · obligatory
sloppiness
Lack of neatness
- shoddinessInferior construction quality
- superficialityAbsence of meaningful depth
- hasteExcessive quickness
cursory · rushed · slipshod · inadequacy · incompleteness · carelessness · negligence · mediocrity · shortcuts · box-ticking
indifference
Lack of interest
- apathyAbsence of feeling
- disinterestAbsence of bias
- carelessnessInattention causing mistakes
negligence · detachment · unconcern · halfheartedness · listlessness · nonchalance · dismissiveness · inattention · passivity · aloofness
formality
Strict observance of convention
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
obligation · duty · gesture · motions · rote · ritual · procedural · ceremonial · obligatory · formulaic
perfunctorinessthoroughness
Attention to every detail
meticulousness · diligence · conscientiousness · carefulness · painstakingness
perfunctorinessdevotion
Deep, loyal commitment
wholeheartedness · earnestness · enthusiasm · passion · zeal
perfunctorinessabsorption
Process of taking in
engrossment · immersion · involvement · investment · thoughtfulness