21 October 2018

Forestall:  Prevent or obstruct (an anticipated event or action) by taking advance action. 

• Russians and Syrians warplanes pounded towns in Syria's opposition-held Idlib province on Saturday, a day after a summit of the presidents of Turkey, Iran and Russia failed to agree on a ceasefire that would forestall a Russian-backed offensive. (Dawn)

Perfunctory: Characterized by routine or superficiality

• My house filling up with familiar faces coming up to me again and again, delivering the perfunctory kiss on the cheek followed by those same words: "I am sorry for your loss." (Sheryl Sandberg)