sluggish

adjective

ˈslə-gish How to pronounce sluggish (audio)
Definition of sluggishnext
1
as in slow
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome

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2
as in sleepy
slow to move or act reptiles are naturally sluggish at low temperatures

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sluggish Hiring is showing signs of revival after a sluggish 2025, when employers added an average of just 10,000 new jobs per month. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026 Business-wise, these pioneers were buoyed by the sluggish response to the internet by legacy newspapers and magazines, whose fortress mentality only accelerated their disruption. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026 The Miami-Dade County School Board first proposed the tax in response to sluggish state funding for public schools. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026 The players understand what’s at stake, and none are making any excuses in the locker room after yet another sluggish start for the unit. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggish
  1. slow
  2. sleepy
  3. leisurely
  4. dull
  5. lagging
  6. lethargic
Adjective
  • Increasingly, there are elevated places to stay that preserve the soul of this place, opening in a slow trickle like Valbona Resort and Spa (2024) and SeSam Villas in Theth (2025).
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
  • The Bears jumped out to a 9-2 lead as USC was slow getting going offensively and committed three quick turnovers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • Jim Cramer was hoping for one of those sleepy November days where not much happens for the Investing Club's 4th annual meeting.
    — Alexa LoMonaco,Jeff Nash, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Reminiscent of diners and roller skates, this machine is sure to bring a smile to even the sleepiest of mornings.
    — Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano, The Spruce, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of sleepy
Adjective
  • Guests also have access to a sunny terrace and a shared pool, ideal for leisurely afternoons.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
  • But for me the wow factor started weeks out with a leisurely but extremely detailed call with a kindly staffer who took down all of our details.
    — Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of leisurely
Adjective
  • Just like many of his neighbors, the sound of the Delciello’s bell sent Carmody scrambling to round up tools and knives that needed their dull blades refreshed.
    — Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Spend your peak time on low-value work, and your axe will be dull for everything that counts.
    — Jeremy Macliver, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • Every initiative should identify its operational leading indicator, financial lagging indicator, value owner and realization mechanism.
    — Todd Bernson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Just last month, Microsoft began layoffs of 20% of its Xbox employees as part of a sweeping reorganization to revive the company’s lagging games division.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of lagging
Adjective
  • The stars have grown lethargic and limp, with lesions spread across their bodies, their arms falling off or disintegrating.
    — Joseph Ogilvy, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The national committee has faced a host of criticism from other Democrats for its lethargic fundraising, including calls for DNC Chair Ken Martin to step down that have so far gone unheeded.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of lethargic

Browse Nearby Words

slugging (down)
sluggish
sluggishly
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Cite this Entry

“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggish. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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