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

Dorn said the problem is that right now more timber is being grown than is needed in a sluggish housing economy. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026

Most importantly, its extra RAM makes third-party apps feel quicker than on its sluggish predecessor. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

After his sluggish start, Harper made six of his final seven attempts to finish 7 of 12 from the field. — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

Hiring has been sluggish, but layoffs are also unusually low. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 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