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

Still, some analysts worry that rising device prices will cover up sluggish unit sales, a shortfall that would eventually show up in other key areas like Apple's services division. — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

When researchers first began tinkering with large-scale additive manufacturing, printers squeezed out material at a sluggish 20 pounds per hour. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

Matthew Klein, author of The Overshoot newsletter, argues in a new note that rising government bond yields are, on balance, a sign of reinvigorated economic health after more than a decade of sluggish growth. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

Stagflation — where the economy is sluggish and inflation remains high — could hurt the performance of both stocks and bonds, Benz said. — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 1 Sep. 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