She did bring up nuclear proliferation, but only in a perfunctory way.

Could its population be fed every day in anything more than the most perfunctory way?

The salesman glanced round him in a perfunctory way.

Many states have filed only bare-bones plans, answering questions in the most perfunctory way.

"Transfer applicants are handled in a perfunctory way," he said.

"Thank you," said the editor briefly, for the praise was given in a perfunctory way that irritated her.

"Next time we will," I agreed in a perfunctory way.

He acknowledged our condolences in a perfunctory way, delaying no longer than was necessary before getting down to business.

He does this in a frowning perfunctory way, eyes light as an eagle's.

From time to time I had considered the idea of looking for a wife, but it seemed too perfunctory a way to take a mate.