anemic

adjective

ane·​mic ə-ˈnē-mik 

1

: relating to or affected with anemia

The blood test indicated that he was slightly anemic.

2

a

: lacking force, vitality, or spirit

an anemic rendition of the song

anemic efforts at enforcement

b

: lacking interest or savor (see savor entry 1 sense 3) : insipid

anemic wines

c

: lacking in substance or quantity

anemic returns on an investment

anemic attendance

anemically

ə-ˈnē-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of anemic in a Sentence

The doctor told me I was slightly anemic.

The band played an anemic rendition of a classic love song.

Investors are worried about the stock's anemic performance.

Officials worried about anemic attendance at the shows.

Sales rose an anemic 0.5 percent last quarter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Their offense, anemic for much of the first half, has awoken during the summer’s dog days. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025

The numbers left employment growth averaging an anemic 35,000 the past three months. —Paul Davidson, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025

Trump’s economy is looking weaker than expected after the July jobs report included massive downward revisions for previous months, revealing an economy with anemic job creation of less than 20,000 in May and June. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2025

The staffing shifts follow an anemic year of play coverage, and all signs now point to a diminished emphasis on live arts criticism in general, over at the paper of record. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see anemia

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for anemic

• ischaemic
• ischemic
• leukemic
• phonemic
• racemic
• uremic
• hyperglycemic
• hypoglycemic
• uraemic