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

That could help explain why Microsoft shares have outperformed Amazon, Alphabet and Meta year to date, despite their sluggish performance in the first six months of the year. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, Jackson is sounding the alarm over sluggish early voting across deep-red rural Georgia, warning that complacency in GOP strongholds could jeopardize his bid for governor. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Since the 2009 financial crisis, Africa’s biggest economy went on a spending frenzy, running deficits, racking up debt and offering a rich menu of excuses — ranging from global crises, sluggish growth, state capture and COVID-19. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Of the two teams, the Patriots have been more consistent since recovering from a sluggish start to the season. — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026