sluggish

adjective

slug·gish | \ ˈslə-gish

Definition of sluggish

1 : averse to activity or exertion : indolent also : torpid

2 : slow to respond (as to stimulation or treatment)

3a : markedly slow in movement, flow, or growth

b : economically inactive or slow

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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

The Trump administration’s sluggish, inept response to the disaster has been well-documented. — Yvonne Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, "After hurricane struck Puerto Rico, a second disaster was man-made," 2 June 2018 The reasons for sluggish wage growth, of course, are a complex weave. — Author: Patricia Cohen, Anchorage Daily News, "Where did your pay raise go? It may have become a bonus," 11 Feb. 2018 At the prompting of our pediatrician, who was concerned about Sophie's sluggish growth, she was tested and diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that had slowed her development across the board since birth. — Jennifer Rabiner*, Redbook, ""Why Don't I Like My Own Child?"," 10 Nov. 2016 Apple’s latest music-focused device, the HomePod, was also delayed, and has seen sluggish sales so far -- although reviewers praised the sound quality. — Mark Gurman, Bloomberg.com, "Apple to Unveil High-End AirPods, Over-Ear Headphones For 2019," 25 June 2018 The Italian economy was sluggish, while Iran was poised to develop rapidly, having promised to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons in exchange for relief from crippling international sanctions. — Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, "Italy’s Economy Was Humming Nicely. Then Came Trump.," 22 June 2018 The collapse comes amidst a flurry of bad news for Brazil, including the worst recession in a half-century, the possible impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, fears about the Zika virus, and sluggish Olympic ticket sales. — Jonathan Franklin, Popular Mechanics, "Huge Wave Twists Apart Bike Track in Rio de Janeiro: 2 Dead," 21 Apr. 2016 Slowing growth in China has rattled U.S. companies and the stock market, exacerbated by Apple Inc.’s revenue warning to start the year, which the phone maker blamed largely on a sluggish Chinese demand. — Mike Colias, WSJ, "GM Sees Boost to Profit From Job Cuts," 11 Jan. 2019 Photo: Double Fine / Boneloaf A fun party game featuring sluggish, blob-like characters. — Stefan Etienne, The Verge, "The 13 best games for your new PC," 26 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sluggish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.