sluggish

adjective

slug·gish | \ ˈslə-gish

How to pronounce sluggish (audio)

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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

Other Words from sluggish Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about sluggish

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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 Hopes to avoid yet another sluggish start gave way to optimism that the Mavericks, down two starters in their second game in less than 24 hours, might manage to challenge Steph Curry and Golden State in a game rife with playoff implications. — Callie Caplan, Dallas News, "Luka Doncic and ‘pissed off’ Mavs turn 28-0 run vs. Warriors into dominant, playoff-strengthening win," 27 Apr. 2021 But the program had a sluggish start, facing logistical issues as well as vaccine hesitancy among the population, especially towards Covaxin, which was approved for emergency use before the efficacy data of its third phase trial were released. — Jessie Yeung, CNN, "India is spiraling deeper into Covid-19 crisis. Here's what you need to know," 26 Apr. 2021 Tsoi was at the start of this month on the receiving end of a public dressing-down by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who was furious about the sluggish start to the country's inoculation campaign amid rising case numbers. — David Meyer, Fortune, "A new vaccine on the scene: Kazakhstan begins rollout of homegrown QazVac," 26 Apr. 2021 The company hoped the new films would also propel interest in HBO Max after the streaming service’s sluggish start. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, "With ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ and ‘Tom & Jerry,’ HBO Max adds 2.7 million subscribers in first quarter," 22 Apr. 2021 One of the few bright spots is the vaccination campaign, which has finally gathered speed after a sluggish start over the past few months. — BostonGlobe.com, "Virus deaths pass 3 million as hot spots keep emerging," 17 Apr. 2021 After a sluggish, offensively deficient performance in a Wednesday night road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Heat on Friday night displayed ineptitude on both ends of the court in falling 137-110 to the Indiana Pacers at AmericanAirlines Arena. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "Heat defenseless in 137-110 loss to Pacers, on first losing streak in a month," 19 Mar. 2021 This is also the tool that can flush out the Mac’s DNS cache and can often solve network problems or improve sluggish Internet performance. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes, "New CleanMyMac X Works With M1 Macs And Detects Silver Sparrow Malware," 25 Feb. 2021 Green Bay delivered its second straight sluggish home performance Sunday before escaping with a 24-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have lost eight straight games. — Steve Megargee, Star Tribune, "Packers playing better when they're away from Lambeau Field," 16 Nov. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

1 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sluggish. Accessed 7 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for sluggish

sluggish

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of sluggish

: moving slowly or lazily

See the full definition for sluggish in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sluggish

adjective

slug·gish | \ ˈslə-gish

\

Kids Definition of sluggish

: slow in movement or reaction … his sluggish brain was hardly working at all.— Dick King-Smith, Pigs Might Fly

sluggish

adjective

slug·gish | \ ˈsləg-ish

\

Medical Definition of sluggish

: markedly slow in movement, progression, or response sluggish healing

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