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 biggest concerns seem to be with traffic, which already can be sluggish on the Overseas Highway.
—
Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Listings are taking a median of 13 days to go under contract, which isn’t as fast as the pace seen a few years ago, but isn’t sluggish either.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Listings are taking a median of 13 days to go under contract, which isn’t as fast as the pace seen a few years ago, but isn’t sluggish either.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggish
Adjective
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Juicy, tender ribs are hard to beat, and cooking them low and slow is the key to achieving that irresistible fall-off-the-bone texture and deep, savory flavor.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
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And then there is a style that believes reading should mimic the obstruction and slow struggle of writing.—
Benjamin Hale
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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The final picture is a solo shot of Ocean Rain, sleepy and sweetly tucked into a coral blanket embroidered with her name.—
Clea Haran,
Parents,
23 June 2025
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By the end of that summer, the sleepy months had become prime box-office real estate.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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Likewise, maintain a more leisurely pace in rain, fog, snow or heavy traffic.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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Otherwise, consider the more posh neighborhoods of Chelsea and Kensington—ideal for leisurely days spent browsing boutiques and art galleries or strolling over to Notting Hill for coffee and craft bakeries.—
Katharine Sohn,
Architectural Digest,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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And what often emerges instead is a dull kind of numbness, chronic irritability or total withdrawal.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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Get rid of dull and dirty razor heads (which should no longer be used) and pair your bathing supplies down to only the items that are used on a weekly basis.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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When McCaughan got ahead in the count 0-2, a crowd largely quieted by a lethargic Twins offense got loud enough for the pitcher to notice.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
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The Nuggets, who looked so energized as a unit in Tuesday night’s Game 5 win, looked lethargic and exhausted in large stretches of Game 6.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggish. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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