1
as in slow
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed
the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of sluggish
The dude still has wheels, per NHL EDGE data, and the Leafs need more of that from a forward group that was slow and sluggish last season.
—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
So, before writing off a sluggish job candidate search as a market issue, take a hard look at the listing itself, from the title to the requirements, the compensation and the hiring process.
—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Sales slowed last year to a 30-year low and have remained sluggish so far this year, declining in January and February versus a year earlier.
—
Michael Casey,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
Starmer's popularity has also declined amid a persistently high cost of living, sluggish economic growth and criticism over his acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
So, before writing off a sluggish job candidate search as a market issue, take a hard look at the listing itself, from the title to the requirements, the compensation and the hiring process.
—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Sales slowed last year to a 30-year low and have remained sluggish so far this year, declining in January and February versus a year earlier.
—
Michael Casey,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2026
Starmer's popularity has also declined amid a persistently high cost of living, sluggish economic growth and criticism over his acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggish
Adjective
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What to expect over the weekend Though Friday was expected to be the slowest day of the competition, the atmosphere at Cal Expo was anything but dull.
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Some residents are calling for civilian volunteers to help clear debris, frustrated by the slow pace of the rescue operations.
Adjective
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Summer is a sleepy season for new cookbooks.
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On paper, New York State Comptroller is a sleepy job.
Adjective
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That was when the lensman captured the social set at their leisurely and often strikingly dressed best.
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Perhaps the biggest problem with this movie is that Supergirl (Helen Slater) seems terribly leisurely about her fateful mission.
Adjective
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Besides toning color, this shampoo acts as a gentle clarifier, removing product buildup from the roots and hair that can make your hair appear dull and greasy.
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The practical step is small and dull, which feels about right.
Adjective
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The lagging percentage of women film directors last year is a clear sign that the industry is going backward, said Kirsten Schaffer, chief executive of WIF, which advocates for women in Hollywood.
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The United States typically experiences the lagging edge of Latin American displacement waves.
Adjective
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Wasn’t Messi just standing over there a few seconds earlier, looking downright lethargic?
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But Beijing has continued promoting key industrial sectors, and with domestic demand still lethargic, Chinese companies have shipped excess supply overseas, often undercutting local producers.
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggish. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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