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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sluggish
Duke shook off a sluggish start and a late Texas push Tuesday night, using a 10-0 run in the second half and stout defense to turn a 33-32 halftime deficit into a 75-60 victory in the Dick Vitale Invitational.
—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Starbucks has struggled in China, its second-largest market, due to sluggish consumer spending and new competition from domestic brands like Luckin Coffee.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
The hope is for Harold James to bring newness and an edge to the megabrand, which is beneficial at a sluggish time for the beauty market.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
The offense was sluggish and the shooting remains a concern.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Starbucks has struggled in China, its second-largest market, due to sluggish consumer spending and new competition from domestic brands like Luckin Coffee.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
The hope is for Harold James to bring newness and an edge to the megabrand, which is beneficial at a sluggish time for the beauty market.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
The offense was sluggish and the shooting remains a concern.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggish
Adjective
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Hoover finished 319 yards on 34-of-50 passing, but his two turnovers were critical mistakes that led to TCU’s slow start in the first half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
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When visiting the exhibit, plan on taking your time to make the most of it, or what the American Federation of Arts calls slow looking.—
Susan B. Barnes,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Signs to treat fevers include being unusually sleepy, cranky and refusing food and drinks.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
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Trancoso, Bahia The opening of Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa in 2009 transformed the sleepy fishing village of Trancoso into a boho-chic hot spot.—
Maya Kachroo-Levine,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Fortunately, there's usually plenty of pleasant autumn days after the first frost to tackle the remaining fall gardening tasks at a more leisurely rate.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
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During November, coastal towns transform into quieter versions of themselves, offering a season for birdwatching, leisurely walks, or festivals with good music and food.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Instead, watching Charles attempt to insert himself into the Garfield Administration by forging papers and sneaking into buildings feels repetitive and a bit dull.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
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Their life in Watertown had been ordinary, maybe even dull sometimes.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Layer on infrastructure costs, amortization, new storage mandates, refinery retrofits for changing crude blends and the lagging effects of the LCFS credit.—
Michael Mische,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Sep. 2025
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Metrics That Predict, Not Report The lagging nature of HR’s metrics compounds the problem.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Newcastle instantly responded, with West Ham lethargic, noting that their opponent’s midfield trio of Paqueta, Potts, and Mateus Fernandes had been drawn upfield.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Some dogs may also destroy items, try to escape, or seem sad and lethargic when left alone.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggish. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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