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
These critics, along with many science sleuths, allege that errors or sloppiness are too common, that research organizations and authors often ignore concerns when they’re identified, and that the path from complaint to correction is sluggish.
—
Evan Bush, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Some economists suggest this spending boom — and rising consumer sentiment about the economy — could boost industries with sluggish growth.
—Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
The upbeat forecast comes after Samsung reported four straight quarters of declining profits, as demand for consumer devices and the chips that power them remained sluggish last year.
—Diksha Madhok, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Reddit still isn’t profitable, and its capital goal was small relative to other social media giants, but the site is helping wake up a sluggish IPO market from its two-year lull.
—Laura Bratton, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024
In the cooler months of the year — historically from April to September — snakes become sluggish and may not eat, drink, defecate or even move for weeks at a time.
—Natasha Frost David Maurice Smith, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
The inflation that has ravaged the European economy eased again in February, falling to 2.6% as high interest rates, moderating oil and gas prices, and sluggish growth held back price increases in stores.
—David McHugh, Fortune Europe, 1 Mar. 2024
At the same time, China has consciously engaged in a thaw with the Biden administration, seeking to lower temperatures at a moment of profound economic uncertainty within China, with growth sluggish after a decades-long boom.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
The Latitude 7030 found itself in the front half of a rather sluggish pack.
—PCMAG, 27 Mar. 2024
Evan Bush, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Some economists suggest this spending boom — and rising consumer sentiment about the economy — could boost industries with sluggish growth.
—Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
The upbeat forecast comes after Samsung reported four straight quarters of declining profits, as demand for consumer devices and the chips that power them remained sluggish last year.
—Diksha Madhok, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Reddit still isn’t profitable, and its capital goal was small relative to other social media giants, but the site is helping wake up a sluggish IPO market from its two-year lull.
—Laura Bratton, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024
In the cooler months of the year — historically from April to September — snakes become sluggish and may not eat, drink, defecate or even move for weeks at a time.
—Natasha Frost David Maurice Smith, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
The inflation that has ravaged the European economy eased again in February, falling to 2.6% as high interest rates, moderating oil and gas prices, and sluggish growth held back price increases in stores.
—David McHugh, Fortune Europe, 1 Mar. 2024
At the same time, China has consciously engaged in a thaw with the Biden administration, seeking to lower temperatures at a moment of profound economic uncertainty within China, with growth sluggish after a decades-long boom.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
The Latitude 7030 found itself in the front half of a rather sluggish pack.
—PCMAG, 27 Mar. 2024
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.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of sluggish was
in the 15th century
Articles Related to sluggish
Dictionary Entries Near sluggish
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sluggish. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
More from Merriam-Webster on sluggish
Nglish: Translation of sluggish for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of sluggish for Arabic Speakers
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