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

The below-average rushing attack is probably Philadelphia’s biggest problem, but the anemic passing game isn’t far behind. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025

What a dull, anemic performance. —Josh Yohe, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025

After an extended run of mediocre at best — and at worst, totally anemic — releases, 2024’s Call of Duty felt like a breath of fresh air, if only by default. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2025

To be sure, while Carlyle’s data showed anemic payroll gains, other economic indicators painted a brighter picture. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 7 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