Meaning & use
performatively
Last updated
In a way that is done for show or effect rather than out of genuine feeling or conviction.
See it in a sentence
He apologized performatively, more concerned with looking sorry than actually being sorry.
Critics accused the company of supporting the cause performatively, without any real policy changes.
A note on using this word
Common in modern social and political commentary, describing actions taken mainly to be seen doing them rather than out of real commitment.
Words with a similar meaning
superficiallyinsincerely
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
genuinelysincerely
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