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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

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

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 Patriots-Seahawks was a sluggish snoozefest through three quarters. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2026 The Steelers needed a vintage Watt performance to overcome a sluggish start by Aaron Rodgers and company. — ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026 Despite his slow, ambling movement, Lee is always one step ahead of other cops, even in a foot chase where both men run at a shambling, sluggish pace. — Jake Cole, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026 Low vitamin D is often a culprit when someone feels sluggish and fatigued. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 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
  • Complex carbs with fiber slow digestion and sugar absorption, while protein and fat further delay digestion, helping to stabilize blood sugar.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Longer messages mean slower communication, so people who study error-correcting codes devise more elaborate schemes to minimize the redundancy in the transmissions while maximizing the number of errors that can be corrected.
    — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • Talbots is on the move again after years of being among the sleepier brands in retail.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Long Beach Island offers sandy Atlantic beaches, sleepy residential enclaves, family-friendly attractions, and classic seafood spots without heading out East.
    — Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of sleepy
Adjective
  • To experience the Filipino tradition of long, leisurely communal dinners, reserve Perso’s signature Chef’s Table.
    — Michelle Polizzi, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Prevailing xenophobic notions of the time would have insisted on Bridget’s culpability, particularly when Irish women were seen as more likely to be able to swing an ax than leisurely ladies like Lizzie.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of leisurely
Adjective
  • They were illuminated as dull streaks of red, as the group’s flashlights were covered with red tape to reduce the light.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Prime Video continues to be one of the most baffling streaming services, from dull originals like Reacher to a revolving catalogue of films that never saw the light of an actual movie theater.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 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 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
  • The show was also horribly paced, with way too many pointless instrumental spotlights that somehow managed to come across as both showy and lethargic at the same time.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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