sluggish

adjective

slug·gish ˈslə-gish

Synonyms of sluggish next

: averse to activity or exertion : indolent

also : torpid

: slow to respond (as to stimulation or treatment)

: markedly slow in movement, flow, or growth

: economically inactive or slow

sluggishly adverb

sluggishness noun

Example Sentences

The game picked up after a sluggish start. the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome

Recent Examples on the Web Day-to-day performance is just a little more sluggish, and that’s only going to degrade over the next three or more years. —

Brandon Widder, The Verge, 1 Apr. 2023 Pickup has been sluggish, for both Spravato and the second new-era drug to reach the market just afterward: Zulresso, for postpartum depression, developed by Sage Therapeutics. —

Benedict Carey, STAT, 27 Mar. 2023 With rising interests rates, apartment sales have become sluggish; in the second half of last year sales of the city’s most costly apartments slowed significantly. —

Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2023 One year isn’t much of a sample, as distribution of documentaries (as of independent and international films) continues to be sluggish. —

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2023 The holiday season can leave you feeling a little sluggish. —

Bridget Degnan, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2023 The housing market is tight and new construction is sluggish. —

Jake Zuckerman, cleveland, 6 Jan. 2023 Then the Warriors overcame a sluggish first half to earn a 136-125 victory over Oklahoma City at Chase Center. —

Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Apr. 2023 The Huskies beat No. 13 Iona by 24 points and No. 5 Saint Mary's by 15 points, both times pulling away after a sluggish first half. —

Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sluggish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.