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 sluggish performance was not indicative of two teams that came into the matchup on a roll.
—
ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Despite a sluggish start with just six first-quarter points, the Bruins dominated the second half, shooting 54% overall to maintain their conference-best record.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Seeking safety Above-target inflation and a sluggish labor market also confuses the picture for investors.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Despite the sluggish pace of sales, home prices have kept climbing.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Despite a sluggish start with just six first-quarter points, the Bruins dominated the second half, shooting 54% overall to maintain their conference-best record.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Seeking safety Above-target inflation and a sluggish labor market also confuses the picture for investors.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
Despite the sluggish pace of sales, home prices have kept climbing.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggish
Adjective
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Experiencing that life cycle of knowing where my food comes from and watching my uncles do the butchering and then eating it the same day through slow roasting was really impactful for me as a kid.—
Claire Salinda,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Perhaps both movements could have animated each other; perhaps the subsequent fight for women’s suffrage would have been less sporadic and slow.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That had Wade back on his own podcast Wednesday making his feelings known, with nothing sleepy about his enthusiasm, appreciation and respect.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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Offensive philosophy The Warriors chucked up 52 3-pointers (and made just 16) on Monday in Utah, a puzzlingly high number considering the Jazz’s interior defense generally provides as much resistance as a sleepy puppy.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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With that much space, visitors and locals alike have plenty of room for water sports, leisurely beach days, and sightseeing.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
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What to see today Visitors have their choice of hiking to the top of Natural Bridge or taking a leisurely ride on a sky lift over the trees and to the top.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The news went wild on Twitter, with people meme-ing the hell out of the exceedingly dull headline.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
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If your home is primarily filled with neutrals and feels a bit dull, try introducing a few colorful accents.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The investigation began after a 4-month-old was taken to UPMC Washington after becoming unusually lethargic.—
Shelley Bortz,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Even with dramatically better affordability, rebounds from the Great Recession’s troubles were lethargic.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggish. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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