1
as in dilatoriness
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2
as in lethargy
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Recent Examples of sluggishness
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
Adding the after-dinner activities described above to your holidays not only relieves bloating and sluggishness but also promotes a healthy, balanced approach to enjoying the season.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
Investors cheered the earnings results, sending shares up 3% in after-hours trading, ending weeks of sluggishness as the stock pulled well back from its high north of $20.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
After an extended stretch of sluggishness, investors were happy to look past third-quarter results and current-quarter guidance that were solid, not stellar.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
As a result, pricing has stayed relatively stable despite the sluggishness.
—John Walkup, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio purports to be fixing bureaucratic sluggishness with decisive leadership.
—John Dinkelman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
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
Adding the after-dinner activities described above to your holidays not only relieves bloating and sluggishness but also promotes a healthy, balanced approach to enjoying the season.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
Investors cheered the earnings results, sending shares up 3% in after-hours trading, ending weeks of sluggishness as the stock pulled well back from its high north of $20.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
After an extended stretch of sluggishness, investors were happy to look past third-quarter results and current-quarter guidance that were solid, not stellar.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
As a result, pricing has stayed relatively stable despite the sluggishness.
—John Walkup, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio purports to be fixing bureaucratic sluggishness with decisive leadership.
—John Dinkelman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggishness
Noun
-
The numbers should shake the lethargy off the stock.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Cereulide, the toxin found in the formula products, is produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus and can cause food poisoning symptoms, including severe or persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual lethargy.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The issues with tardiness to meetings have carried over, per team sources, and his effort on Thursday night was indeed reminiscent of his time in the Steel City.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Dec. 2025
-
Most school administrators reported a lack of access to transportation contributed to chronic tardiness (76%), chronic absenteeism (74%), academic performance challenges (68%) and student safety concerns (75%).—
Andrea Lucia,
CBS News,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Unfortunately for her, apathy doesn't appear to be part of the recipe for a long and successful career at PTMC.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
-
After months of apathy and doubt, optimism is suddenly abundant.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the challenges lateness can create, Alpert said people don't have to be stuck with these habits forever.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
14 Dec. 2025
-
These stories about stuffing kids into snowsuits and her husband’s perpetual lateness are still charming, but there’s a different valence to them after the opening context of craft services and the Clermont Lounge.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Japan’s old, stodgy government is initially too caught up in bureaucratic red tape and inertia to mount a response.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Her confinement was not the result of any criminal conduct, but of bureaucratic error compounded by institutional inertia.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 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 15 Jan. 2026.
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