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
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
But when those run low, your brain turns sluggish and your cognitive performance is diminished.
—
Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
The Boston Red Sox on Thursday fell to the Seattle Mariners with a sluggish offensive performance, scoring just three times to lose by a single run.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Then came more than a decade and a half of delays and extensions, caused by a number of issues, including public opposition, initial refusal from some states to participate, sluggish bureaucracy, a lack of resources and later a pandemic.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
The Panthers, having strolled into Tampa and winning both games to begin the series after a sluggish conclusion to the regular season, are two home victories away from sweeping their biggest rival.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
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Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
The Boston Red Sox on Thursday fell to the Seattle Mariners with a sluggish offensive performance, scoring just three times to lose by a single run.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Then came more than a decade and a half of delays and extensions, caused by a number of issues, including public opposition, initial refusal from some states to participate, sluggish bureaucracy, a lack of resources and later a pandemic.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
The Panthers, having strolled into Tampa and winning both games to begin the series after a sluggish conclusion to the regular season, are two home victories away from sweeping their biggest rival.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sluggish. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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