Desultory

/ˈdɛs.əl.t(ə).ɹi/ · adjective

Meaning

Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order, planning, or rational connection; lacking logical sequence..

Definitions by Sense

1. Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order, planning, or rational connection; lacking logical sequence.
2. Out of course; by the way; not connected with the subject.
3. Disappointing in performance or progress.
4. (obsolete) Leaping, skipping or flitting about, generally in a random or unsteady manner.

Example Sentences

He wandered round, cleaning up in a desultory way.

I teach a class of desultory minds.

subject to desultory fire from the enemy

To mend the matter, Hamlet's aunt had the family failing of indulging in soliloquy, and held forth in a desultory manner, by herself, on every topic that was introduced.

The Benelux Customs Union came into effect on January 1st 1948, and there followed desultory conversations between the Benelux countries, France and Italy over projects to extend such cooperation across a larger space.

‘Your desultory twenties,’ my mother calls my lost time, trying to make it sound reasonable and fun, but it started before I was twenty and lasted much longer.

I made a desultory remark while I was talking to my friend.

She made a desultory attempt at conversation.

Synonyms for desultory

Antonyms for desultory

Related Words

Word Forms

• more desultory
• most desultory

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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