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

Put more simply, since the calendar turned to May, Verdugo has appeared in 17 games with just 13 hits and three doubles, for a .200 batting average and an anemic .500 OPS. —Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025

And on the front line in Ukraine, Russia’s offensive has picked up this month after anemic gains earlier this year. —Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 20 May 2025

These aren't measly 40-50 TOPS machines with an anemic NPU. —Pcmag Staff, PC Magazine, 15 May 2025

Hurdle will still help out with hitters in an effort to wake up Colorado’s anemic offense. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 11 May 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