cursory

adjective

ˈkərs-rē How to pronounce cursory (audio)
Definition of cursorynext
as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed your essays require more than a cursory effort at proofreading

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cursory contrast with its synonyms?

The words shallow and superficial are common synonyms of cursory. While all three words mean "lacking in depth or solidity," cursory suggests a lack of thoroughness or a neglect of details.

gave the letter only a cursory reading

When would shallow be a good substitute for cursory?

The words shallow and cursory can be used in similar contexts, but shallow is more generally derogatory in implying lack of depth in knowledge, reasoning, emotions, or character.

a light, shallow, and frivolous review

When is it sensible to use superficial instead of cursory?

The synonyms superficial and cursory are sometimes interchangeable, but superficial implies a concern only with surface aspects or obvious features.

a superficial analysis of the problem

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cursory The evidence for humans at the infamous Cerutti Mastodon Site in California, for instance, doesn’t pass even a cursory sniff test. — ArsTechnica, 20 Mar. 2026 Trump made only a cursory effort to notify Congress before launching the attack, briefing a small circle of congressional leaders shortly before the operation was underway and leaving most lawmakers to learn of it after the fact. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 5 Mar. 2026 The snowy first look released by Apple back in March honestly bares some cursory resemblance to the snowy, period, Eastern European setting that the AI prompt manages to generate — which again is just for a storyboard! — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 2 June 2026 Even the most cursory tour of local highlights will take you from the 2,000-year-old remains of Emperor Tiberius's cliff-top Villa Jovis to the still-buzzing purveyor of Jackie Kennedy's iconic sandals—Canfora, which anchors the Via Camerelle luxury shopping corridor. — Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cursory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cursory
  1. hurried
  2. rushed
  3. hasty
  4. drive-by
  5. rash
  6. quick
  7. sudden
  8. impulsive
Adjective
  • But for some reason the powers that be have decreed artificial intelligence a civilizational imperative, requiring the hurried construction of swarms of data centers, on Earth and in space.
    — Mark Gongloff, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
  • Right now, decisions are being made in a hurried, contradictory fashion.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Definition of hurried
Adjective
  • Instead, Mahan and his wealthy Silicon Valley backers talked themselves into a rushed and premature campaign that was never remotely competitive.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
  • As immigration officers arrested her six weeks ago, through tears and a rushed goodbye, Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez had a request for her daughter.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Definition of rushed
Adjective
  • Iranian critics of the MoU claim Tehran was too hasty in agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without gaining any tangible benefits from the agreement.
    — July 1, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Catastrophizing, making rash decisions and hasty cuts and failing to see the situation clearly just exacerbate the issue.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of hasty
Adjective
  • The trial is scheduled to begin in August, 30 years after the rapper was killed in a drive-by shooting.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • He had been targeted by a drive-by shooter in Jacksonville, Florida, and hospitalized with two gunshot wounds.
    — Lauren Sausser, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of drive-by
Adjective
  • Typical symptoms include fever, rash, body aches, headache, nausea and vomiting.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 28 June 2026
  • People who have had chickenpox are at risk of developing the burning, itchy rash years or decades later.
    — Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 28 June 2026
Definition of rash
Adjective
  • Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley There may still be questions about whether the romance between Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley was genuine, and their secret, quick-turn overseas wedding didn't help matters.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • But upon closer inspection Mbiya appears significantly leaner and quicker.
    — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026
  • Small Holes One sign of snakes in your garden could be the sudden appearance of small holes that could be about the size of a small coin, or up to two inches.
    — Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 July 2026
Definition of sudden
Adjective
  • The desire for freedom is overpowering, as is the potential for impulsive and rash decisions made in the moment.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • Many individuals fall prey to emotional pitfalls like fear, greed, or shame, leading to impulsive spending, credit card debt, and neglecting long-term goals like retirement.
    — ByGabriel Shahin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of impulsive

Browse Nearby Words

cursorily
cursory
curt
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Cite this Entry

“Cursory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cursory. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cursory

Nglish: Translation of cursory for Spanish Speakers

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