1
as in dilatoriness
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2
as in lethargy
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Recent Examples of sluggishness
The problem of persistent economic sluggishness, the inability to reenergize the powerful engines of rapid growth, has preoccupied both policymakers and business leaders.
—
Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
But a more immediate concern is dealing with a prolonged period of sluggishness that has depressed consumer and business confidence.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Positively, though, sluggishness was a temporary trend.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
There were two good reasons for the sluggishness and sloppiness.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The question, then, is whether the sluggishness of the business, the suffering of union members and threats on the horizon might dissuade either side from playing hardball — or whether recent events will embolden one or the other.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
That means less oxygen reaching your brain—and more sluggishness.
—Lauryn Higgins, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
In January 2025, the two companies moved beyond a traditional client-consultant relationship to form a dedicated joint venture, a move designed to bypass the sluggishness of typical corporate structures.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Dec. 2025
At the time, Powell said that the FOMC was about evenly divided on who supported a December rate cut given the sluggishness of the economy, and those who were too fearful of stoking inflation higher given the uncertainty of how trade policy would develop.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2025
Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
But a more immediate concern is dealing with a prolonged period of sluggishness that has depressed consumer and business confidence.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Positively, though, sluggishness was a temporary trend.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
There were two good reasons for the sluggishness and sloppiness.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
The question, then, is whether the sluggishness of the business, the suffering of union members and threats on the horizon might dissuade either side from playing hardball — or whether recent events will embolden one or the other.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
That means less oxygen reaching your brain—and more sluggishness.
—Lauryn Higgins, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
In January 2025, the two companies moved beyond a traditional client-consultant relationship to form a dedicated joint venture, a move designed to bypass the sluggishness of typical corporate structures.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 Dec. 2025
At the time, Powell said that the FOMC was about evenly divided on who supported a December rate cut given the sluggishness of the economy, and those who were too fearful of stoking inflation higher given the uncertainty of how trade policy would develop.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggishness
Noun
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Just a nibble on a leaf or petal can lead to rapid kidney damage with loss of appetite, vomiting, hypersalivation, lethargy and sometimes neurological signs such as stumbling, tremors and seizures.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
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This was team-wide lethargy by a club that was without leading scorer Travis Konecny (upper-body injury) for the second straight game and defenseman Nick Seeler (lower-body injury), who was hurt Monday in Toronto.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Arizona Republic reported that Nanos stepped down from the El Paso Police Department in 1982 after being accused of a series of infractions, including excessive force, off-duty gambling, improperly using his siren, and tardiness.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The Arizona Republic cites records obtained from the El Paso PD that purportedly include allegations of insubordination, insufficiency, tardiness, and numerous disciplinary reviews related to accusations of excessive force, dereliction of duty, and off-duty gambling.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The impossibility of keeping up breeds apathy and stymies opposition.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
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After decades of apathy--which has pushed the nation to a fiscal precipice--some officials are now reaching across the aisle to propose solutions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The lateness of the case is the Democrats’ own fault.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The other real concern is her lateness.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In a field defined by bureaucratic inertia, moving from contract to flight in under a year is nothing short of a developmental miracle.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The Mini seems to change direction with almost no sense of inertia, biting into corners with terrier-like tenacity.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Europe’s lassitude is heightened by internal divisions.—
HENRY FARRELL,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
-
As something of a companion piece to More, Jacques Deray’s summer thriller La Piscine is a far more dramatic and insidious tale of tropical desire, lassitude, and violence.—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sluggishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggishness. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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