sluggish

adjective

slug·​gish ˈslə-gish 

1

: averse to activity or exertion : indolent

also : torpid

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

• crawling
• creeping
• dallying
• dawdling
• dilatory
• dillydallying
• dragging
• laggard
• lagging
• languid
• leisurely
• poking
• poky
• pokey
• slow
• snail-paced
• snaillike
• tardy
• unhurried

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

But when those run low, your brain turns sluggish and your cognitive performance is diminished. —Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

The Boston Red Sox on Thursday fell to the Seattle Mariners with a sluggish offensive performance, scoring just three times to lose by a single run. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

Then came more than a decade and a half of delays and extensions, caused by a number of issues, including public opposition, initial refusal from some states to participate, sluggish bureaucracy, a lack of resources and later a pandemic. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025

The Panthers, having strolled into Tampa and winning both games to begin the series after a sluggish conclusion to the regular season, are two home victories away from sweeping their biggest rival. —Josh Yohe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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