2
: slow to respond (as to stimulation or treatment)
3
a
: markedly slow in movement, flow, or growth
b
: economically inactive or slow
sluggishly
adverb
sluggishness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of sluggish in a Sentence
The game picked up after a sluggish start.
the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite sluggish downstream demand, cotton prices briefly reached $1 per pound in the early part of 2024.
—
Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 10 Oct. 2024
Rio Tinto is making a $6.7 billion bet on lithium, inking a deal for a major producer just as sluggish electric vehicle sales have sapped demand for the once-hot commodity.
—Pete Gannon, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Bank of America analyst Ronald Epstein agreed with Marcus’ assessment, and expects a Harris presidency with a Democratic majority in the Senate and a Republican quorum in the U.S. House of Representatives, will continue the pattern of sluggish spending increases.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2024
Fuel prices have plummeted in recent months due to sluggish demand for gas as the busy summer traveling season has given way to an autumn slowdown.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sluggish 
Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 10 Oct. 2024
Rio Tinto is making a $6.7 billion bet on lithium, inking a deal for a major producer just as sluggish electric vehicle sales have sapped demand for the once-hot commodity.
—Pete Gannon, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024
Bank of America analyst Ronald Epstein agreed with Marcus’ assessment, and expects a Harris presidency with a Democratic majority in the Senate and a Republican quorum in the U.S. House of Representatives, will continue the pattern of sluggish spending increases.
—Brian Evans, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2024
Fuel prices have plummeted in recent months due to sluggish demand for gas as the busy summer traveling season has given way to an autumn slowdown.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sluggish
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sluggish. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sluggish
adjective
slug·gish
ˈsləg-ish 
: slow in movement or reaction by habit or condition
sluggishly
adverb
sluggishness
noun
Medical Definition
sluggish
adjective
slug·gish
ˈsləg-ish
: markedly slow in movement, progression, or response
sluggish healing
sluggishly
adverb
sluggishness
noun
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