Identify the option closest in meaning to the underlined word:
Her presence was acknowledged with a perfunctory smile.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → indifferent
Perfunctory means done only as a duty or routine, without real interest or care. A perfunctory smile is a quick, polite smile that shows no warmth. Its synonym is indifferent.
Example: The guard gave our passes a perfunctory glance and waved us in.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) indifferent (answer) | having no interest or feeling about something (a smile given without interest or warmth is an indifferent one) | He was indifferent to the result of the match. |
| (2) enthusiastic | full of eager interest (the opposite of perfunctory) | The enthusiastic crowd cheered every goal. |
| (3) beaming | smiling broadly and happily (a beaming smile is full of warmth, not a routine one) | The beaming mother hugged her son after the result. |
| (4) hostile | unfriendly and showing dislike (a perfunctory smile lacks warmth but is not unfriendly) | The visiting team faced a hostile crowd. |
| Synonyms of perfunctory: indifferent, cursory, mechanical, half-hearted Antonyms of perfunctory: enthusiastic, thorough, careful, wholehearted Also asked in CUET (UG): perfunctory – 20-05-2026 Slot 1, 14-05-2026 Slot 1, 11-05-2026 Slot 2 |