sluggish

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

Synonyms

• crawling
• creeping
• dallying
• dawdling
• dilatory
• dillydallying
• dragging
• laggard
• lagging
• languid
• leisurely
• poking
• poky
• pokey
• slow
• snail-paced
• snaillike
• tardy
• unhurried

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

So, the Versa SR makes a fine daily driver for folks who don't need extra cabin space and don't mind sluggish acceleration. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 12 June 2025

Xi, facing a sluggish post-COVID economy and persistent pressures from a real estate slowdown, is pushing to secure China’s dominance in future technologies like electric vehicles and artificial intelligence. —Nik Popli, Time, 5 June 2025

An unhealthy gut can also cause sluggish digestion, which could impact food fermentation in the gut and cause bad breath. 9. —Qin Rao, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025

And Lee has a lot to do, right away – including addressing a sluggish economy and getting involved in the US-South Korea trade talks. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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