sluggish

1 of 2

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

sluggishness

2 of 2

noun

slug·​gish·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being sluggish: such as

a

: disinclination to activity : indolence

mental sluggishness

b

: slowness of movement

silt adding to the sluggishness of the creek

c

: economic stagnancy

the post-holiday sluggishness of department store sales

Synonyms of sluggish

Adjective

• slow
• leisurely
• lagging

Examples of sluggish in a Sentence

Adjective

The game picked up after a sluggish start.

the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

On Monday, Williams looked to be moving well in a first set that was understandably sluggish considering her lack of recent matches. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Infants may act sluggish or not active, vomit, be unusually fussy, face poor feeding, show a bulging soft spot on the head, or show poor reflexes. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

The best snack to eat before a workout will give you the energy necessary to exercise without leaving you feeling sluggish or uncomfortable. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026

In recent months, the combination of sluggish pay and surging prices has prompted many shoppers to draw down savings and take on debt, Boussor said. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sluggusnes, from sluggus sluggish + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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