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

Trying to nominate an anemic candidate while weakening the court is a recipe for producing a rampant Trump presidency. —George F. Will, Washington Post, 15 July 2024

In 2024, Britain is heavily indebted (not least thanks to the pandemic and its legacy), the country’s tax burden is at a post-war high, and GDP growth is anemic. —The Editors, National Review, 8 July 2024

The Constitution’s architects worried that Congress would be too muscular, not too anemic. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 7 July 2024

So far this year, growth is still anemic, with comparable sales up only 1.1% in the first quarter. —Beth Greenfield, Fortune, 1 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

see anemia

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1