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 On Monday, Williams looked to be moving well in a first set that was understandably sluggish considering her lack of recent matches. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Ole Miss transfer quarterback Austin Simmons will improve a sluggish offense. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 Infants may act sluggish or not active, vomit, be unusually fussy, face poor feeding, show a bulging soft spot on the head, or show poor reflexes. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 The best snack to eat before a workout will give you the energy necessary to exercise without leaving you feeling sluggish or uncomfortable. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 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
  • The challenge is that the hydrogen evolution reaction is slower in alkaline environments, increasing the need for catalysts that can deliver high activity without rapidly losing performance.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • As Mikhail Gorbachev became Soviet premier and promised new openness with a policy of glasnost, a slow thaw would begin toward free speech, human rights, the release of political dissidents and relaxed restrictions on emigration.
    — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • During an allegedly sleepy period on the NBA schedule, the Lakers shook everyone awake with a blaring alarm.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Terrell, who is gay and doubles as a night-club promoter, brings in scores of drinkers to their perpetually sleepy pub, transforming it into Philadelphia’s trendiest gay bar.
    — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of sleepy
Adjective
  • That leisurely, labor-intensive scenario is often not possible.
    — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Yamanaka is made for leisurely walks, a visit to the house celebrating the haiku poet Bashō—who stayed here for nine days in 1689—and quiet days in a world of green hills and rushing water.
    — Pico Iyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of leisurely
Adjective
  • Nothing can ruin your day quite like the dull ache of underwire hoisting up your bust.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Underripe corn is rather dull and hard, similar to ears of corn that have been on the plant for too long.
    — Danielle Ernest, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 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
  • Female mice dosed with QACs lost interest in food, became lethargic and short of breath, and began to lose muscle control during late pregnancy.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The expansion to California’s film and TV tax credit program hasn’t notably curbed lethargic production levels in Los Angeles, at least not yet.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 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 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of sluggish for Spanish Speakers

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