1
as in dilatoriness
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2
as in lethargy
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Recent Examples of sluggishness
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
These rapid blood sugar spikes and dips can drain you of your energy, leading to sluggishness, irritability, and increased hunger.
—Kristen Gasnick, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2026
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
These rapid blood sugar spikes and dips can drain you of your energy, leading to sluggishness, irritability, and increased hunger.
—Kristen Gasnick, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggishness
Noun
-
Obama briskly entered and immediately apologized for tardiness.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
-
In this case, though, Brenden Aaronson’s family was willing to forgive the tardiness.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Symptoms of prolonged deficiency include ventroflexion of the neck (bending the head toward the floor); mental dullness (confusion, lethargy, non-responsiveness, failing to interact, low energy); vision changes; wobbly walking, circling, or falling; seizures; and weakness and lethargy.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
-
Finally, monitor pets for behavioral changes, as pets may experience pain, licking or chewing at a wound, loss of appetite and lethargy.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The Daily Mail previously reported that Mirren was upset by Hardy's lateness in December.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The council’s decision to shelve so many reforms will only fuel public apathy and distrust, said Ross Weistroffer, an organizer with Fair Rep LA Coalition, a group of nonprofits that pushes for good government and fair representation.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
The league has taken steps to address tanking, but curbing that problem alone won’t stop injury issues that are just as much a part of the growing apathy that many fans feel towards the regular season.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
One problem that no amount of money can fix is political inertia.—
Nancy A. Youssef,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
-
Repetition is so easily confused with stasis—with inertia.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 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 21 Jun. 2026.
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