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Glite Dictionary
tokenish

tokenish

9.8
A small action done only to show support but not to change things
  • adjective
  • /ˈtoʊkənɪʃ/
  • Informal
translation icon : simulado
  • The government's reforms were criticized as tokenish efforts rather than substantive change.

Examples

  • They made a tokenish apology that failed to satisfy anyone.

  • Many viewed the festival's tokenish inclusion of diverse acts as a superficial gesture.

  • His contribution to the project was merely tokenish and had little real impact.

  • This feels tokenish!

  • The committee's decision felt very tokenish after the protests.

  • The organization's tokenish donation did not significantly address the community's needs.

  • After the meeting, his tokenish remarks seemed insincere and lacked depth.

Synonyms

nominal
vstokenish
18 7.3

Existing only in name and without real power

is an action or gesture that shows appearance rather than real effect
perfunctory
vstokenish
11 8.7

Done quickly without real interest or care

is performed as a formal symbolic gesture rather than from lack of effort
token
vstokenish
5 6.7

Done only to show support or agreement, not to make a real change

is mainly a formal gesture with little real significance

Antonyms

meaningful
327 3.3

Something that has a clear purpose or that is important

substantive
  • Formal
88 6.3

Important and having real meaning or value

How Symbolic

symbolic
158 4.3
tokenish
  • Informal
9.8
hollow
64 5.5
cosmetic
95 4.4

Surface Forms

tokenish positive

Morphology

tokenish = token (transparent) = token + ish

The adjective is formed by adding the productive suffix '-ish' to 'token', yielding 'somewhat or characteristic of token (symbolic)'; learners who know 'token' and '-ish' can infer this meaning.

Etymology

The word tokenish comes from token, which means 'a small sign or symbol', and the ending -ish, which means 'somewhat' or 'like'. So a tokenish act is only a small, symbolic gesture and not really meaningful.