Synonyms of sluggish

sluggish

adjective

ˈslə-gish 

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

• slow
• leisurely
• lagging
• laggard
• creeping
• dilatory
• dragging
• crawling
• unhurried
• poky
• slowing
• tardy
• languid
• lethargic
• dillydallying
• snaillike
• dallying
• snail-paced
• poking
• dawdling
• deliberate
• inactive
• inert
• lingering
• plodding
• ambling
• lounging
• loafing
• loitering
• heavy-footed
• measured
• decelerating
• shuffling
• slow-footed
• procrastinating
• strolling
• stalling
• tarrying
• inching
• filibustering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rapid
• speedy
• swift
• hasty
• fast
• brisk
• quick
• dizzy
• rushing
• breathless
• lightning
• running
• snappy
• meteoric
• racing
• fleet
• ready
• whirlwind
• speeding
• flying
• prompt
• expeditious
• rocketing
• bolting
• breakneck
• accelerated
• whirling
• warp-speed
• hurrying
• scudding
• quickened
• rushed
• barreling
• scurrying
• hurried
• zipping
• careering
• hastened
• scooting
• whisking

2

as in sleepy

slow to move or act

reptiles are naturally sluggish at low temperatures

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sleepy
• dull
• lethargic
• torpid
• inactive
• lazy
• quiescent
• inert
• motionless
• resting
• listless
• slothful
• indolent
• apathetic
• static
• shiftless
• languorous
• dormant
• slack
• sedentary
• still
• asleep
• drugged
• ambitionless
• inanimate
• drowsy
• dopey
• lazyish
• dead
• sluggardly
• sluggard
• comatose
• catatonic
• somnambulant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• active
• busy
• engaged
• occupied
• working
• dynamic
• vigorous
• energetic
• spirited
• vital
• kinetic
• lively
• sprightly
• vivacious
• animated
• bouncing
• industrious
• diligent
• perky
• peppy
• hardworking
• assiduous
• springy
• zippy
• sedulous

Example Sentences

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