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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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

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 For years, a sluggish home market sat alongside rapid growth abroad. — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026 Another potential rate increase would mean pressing the brakes harder on the economy, in turn risking sluggish growth and risk slowing the job market further. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 Republican early turnout in Texas and some other states has been sluggish, suggesting some Republicans are also keen to send a message to Trump over unpopular policies like the war in Iran and trade war tariffs, which have increased inflation. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026 Its Arizona operation is the result of a pre-pandemic gamble Phoenix made to revive its sluggish economy, which never quite rebounded from the Great Recession. — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 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
  • Stuttering drum patterns and elastic basslines rub up against glossy keyboards and slow piano chords, blending early 2000s sounds with the futuristic sensuality of Kelela.
    — Precious Fondren, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
  • On the earnings growth front, while emerging markets on average are expected to deliver a 45% improvement, India's forecast is much slower at 11%, as per Bernstein.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • Then, just nine months later, came the collision Wednesday morning that turned a sleepy stretch of rail lined by olive groves near the village of Urda into a scene of carnage.
    — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The collision Wednesday morning that turned a sleepy stretch of rail lined by olive groves into a scene of carnage came just four weeks before the country votes in a national election.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 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
  • Like scoops of an ocean unmarred by humans, quarts of seaweed soup sit next to other flavors like spicy beef and pine nut and soybean, a shade of creamy beige so calming, one glance is enough to effectively absolve the color of its dull reputation.
    — Vanessa Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • If your skin's looking a little dull or feeling rough, the best alpha hydroxy acid products might be exactly what your routine is missing.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 2026.

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