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

Online streaming grew to account for 40% of U.S. TV usage – in comparison to cable television sitting at an anemic 27%. —Jason Davis, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

For stocks, the picture is made worse by anemic demand for French luxury goods from previously high-spending Chinese shoppers. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2025

The stumps of dead Joshua trees jutted from the fetid ground cover, while a few others, still alive, appeared anemic and were adorned in wispy strands of plastic debris and dust. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025

For three quarters Friday night against the Chicago Sky, the Valkyries’ offense looked anemic. —Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 28 June 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