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

And income growth has been sluggish by historical standards, leaving many Americans feeling stuck in place. — Christopher Rugaber, latimes.com, "Why the wealth gap has grown despite a record economic expansion," 2 July 2019 Dragged down by sluggish markets in Alameda and Santa Clara counties, Bay Area median home prices and sales dipped in May for the second time in three months, suggesting a modest retreat from record-setting prices. — Louis Hansen, The Mercury News, "Bay Area home prices slump for second time in three months," 27 June 2019 Both global and national IPO activity has been sluggish in the second quarter, following a slow start to the year. — Brittany Meiling, San Diego Union-Tribune, "As global IPO market sputters, San Diego companies see another strong quarter," 26 June 2019 The idea of increasing the mansion tax is going to slow down an already sluggish [New York] real estate market. — David Lyons, sun-sentinel.com, "Taxed to the hilt, more northern homebuyers are migrating to Florida," 24 June 2019 Critics say targeting multimillion-dollar sales is a blow to the already sluggish real estate market, especially in lower Fairfield County and in Lamont’s hometown of Greenwich. — Neil Vigdor, courant.com, "Mansion tax draws the ire of the wealthy, real estate industry," 5 June 2019 The deceleration in these less expensive markets suggests that the housing slowdown isn’t a temporary blip but could become a longer-term shift to a more sluggish national housing market in the months to come. — Laura Kusisto, WSJ, "Las Vegas Housing Weakness Signals the Slowdown Is Spreading," 13 Dec. 2018 Buffets blamed its restaurants’ struggles on external economic factors, including a sluggish economy and a drop in customers’ discretionary spending. — Patrick Danner, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio-area restaurant operators ‘siphoned’ millions from business: suit," 28 June 2019 One risk stems from a sluggish economy in Europe, one of China’s major export markets, which could further contribute to the gradual deceleration in growth. — Daniel Kruger, WSJ, "Global Central Bank Shift Eases Drag on Chinese Currency," 22 June 2019

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.