SLUGGISHNESS Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

sluggishness

noun

Definition of sluggishness

as in dilatoriness

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in lethargy

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 sluggishness In fact, the battle could have cleared House of the Dragon of its reputation for sluggishness. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026 Yet sluggishness at the very top is masking dynamism throughout the rest of the list, as a new generation of firms—whether Vietnamese conglomerates, Singaporean banks, or once-loss-making digital platforms—is capturing a greater share of regional revenue and profits. — Andrew Staples, Fortune, 16 June 2026 Throughout the day Heavy, high-fat meals immediately before exercise can increase your digestive workload and contribute to feelings of sluggishness in the heat. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 13 June 2026 Following his Game 1 sluggishness, Wembanyama played with more aggression and decisiveness. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026 But sluggishness in Tableau and the commerce vertical are blemishes. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 May 2026 When Poor Circulation Needs a Doctor Lifestyle changes can do a lot for everyday circulatory sluggishness. — Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026 Djokovic, 38, was barely moving between points during the second set, and Prižmić exploited his sluggishness with consistently punishing drop shots. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 8 May 2026 There was noticeable and annoying lag and sluggishness in the Windows desktop and Windows Explorer, not even counting Chrome or Office, with apps taking some 10 seconds to even open. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 4 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggishness

Noun

Their tardiness, which saw the start delayed by half an hour, was continued on the field with India looking like a rabble in the face of the onslaught from Buttler and Brook.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Target's new attendance point system Target will start tracking unexcused tardiness and absences for its store and warehouse workers in September, assigning point values to violations and terminating any employee who hits 12 points within a year.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Definition of tardiness

Noun

Symptoms include coughing, rapid breathing, lethargy, and reluctance to exercise; open-mouth breathing in cats is an emergency.

— Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Helado Tropical is a fitting soundtrack for the part of the summer when the season settles into a sweaty and pensive lethargy.

— E.R. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026

Definition of lethargy

Noun

In 2024, military and overseas ballots were rejected for lateness at more than eight times the rate of domestic mail ballots, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

— Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 June 2026
This extreme lateness is really unnecessary and New York State should join 46 of its siblings and use the standard July 1 date (Texas, Alabama, Michigan have autumn dates).

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026

Definition of lateness

Noun

Local officials primarily blame budget concerns, along with political inertia, for the ongoing stalemate.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
History shows commissions, like the successful base closing panel, require such mechanisms and strong presidential leadership to overcome political inertia.

— Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of inertia

Noun

Stranger by the Lake is a bookend of sorts to La Piscine, as both films seem to condemn their characters, and by extension, the counterculture surrounding them, to a lassitude incapable of any moral authority.

— Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
The result of this lassitude is that cars still rule the streets.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025

Definition of lassitude

Browse Nearby Words

sluggishly

sluggishness

slugs

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sluggishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggishness. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of sluggishness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

aerie

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes