Impetuous vs. Perfunctory — What's the Difference?

Acting or done quickly and without thought or care

(of an action) carried out without real interest, feeling, or effort

Acting or done quickly with little or inadequate thought.

Done routinely and with little interest or care

Having or marked by violent force

Acting with indifference; showing little interest or care.

Making arbitrary decisions, especially in an impulsive and forceful manner.

Done only or merely to conform to a minimal standard or to fulfill a protocol or presumptive duty.

Characterized by sudden violence or vehemence.

Performed in a careless or indifferent manner as a thing of rote.

Rushing with force and violence; moving with impetus; furious; forcible; violent; as, an impetuous wind; an impetuous torrent.

Done merely to get rid of a duty; performed mechanically and as a thing of rote; done in a careless and superficial manner; characterized by indifference; as, perfunctory admonitions.

Vehement in feeling; hasty; passionate; violent; as, a man of impetuous temper.

Hence: Mechanical; indifferent; listless; careless.

Characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation;

Hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough;

Marked by violent force;

As a formality only;