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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sluggish
The job market has been sluggish, while high interest rates and a housing affordability crisis have saddled millions in debt and frozen out would-be homebuyers.
—
Trevor Bach, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
The Bulls then opened the third quarter with a 7-0 run against a sluggish Celtics defense, successfully targeting Queta on three straight possessions.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Major sponsorship deals for Milan-Cortina and the next Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028 were sluggish until the summer of 2024.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The offense was sluggish in the second half and once again struggled to hit shots from 3-point range, while the defense allowed the Cowboys (14-5, 3-3) to hover around 50% shooting most of the night.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Trevor Bach, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
The Bulls then opened the third quarter with a 7-0 run against a sluggish Celtics defense, successfully targeting Queta on three straight possessions.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Major sponsorship deals for Milan-Cortina and the next Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028 were sluggish until the summer of 2024.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The offense was sluggish in the second half and once again struggled to hit shots from 3-point range, while the defense allowed the Cowboys (14-5, 3-3) to hover around 50% shooting most of the night.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggish
Adjective
-
Some folks who were moving a little slow, some folks wanted to dilute the Canadiana or the Big C Canadian of it.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
In practice, the process is slow, burdensome, and uncertain.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Once a sleepy segment of the overall business, the unit sells power generators, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines that produce electricity for buildings, factories and data centers.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Did the dates and times printed on these sleepy flyers arrive at some juncture somewhere in the world, and did children really congregate to do science experiments?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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From sunset yoga and a world-class spa to leisurely strolls under the live oaks and days spent by the pool, activities at the 20,000-acre resort are numerous—and relaxing.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
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Most of the money engages the leisurely judgment of the bettors, who have all day to survey the odds or the records of the starting pitchers, or to apply their systems.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And that is gratifying after two episodes of somewhat dull table-setting.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
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All in all, 2026 asks you to grow up without growing dull or losing your sense of wonder.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
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The United States typically experiences the lagging edge of Latin American displacement waves.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The art market, in whiplash fashion, experienced pupil-dilating highs just after the pandemic, a lethargic two-year slump, then a sudden multi-billion-dollar rebound in the fall.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
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The humane society said the dogs were found in the back of the property, shaking and lethargic, which are behaviors consistent with prolonged cold exposure and hypothermia.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggish. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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