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

Wideout coach Jovon Bouknight is now Wyoming’s OC, and he will be charged with jump-starting an offense that’s been even more anemic than CSU’s at 20 points per game (11th in the Mountain West). —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025

But no way were the Jets going to go 85 yards Sunday against the Panthers; their offense is just too anemic. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2025

But that proposal was ultimately shelved after receiving anemic interest from potential shippers. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2025

His wife, pregnant with twins, was severely anemic. —Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 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