1
as in dilatoriness
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2
as in lethargy
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Recent Examples of sluggishness
The sluggishness of recent months is beginning to lift, and April arrives with a welcome surge of momentum and physical energy.
—
Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Still, even Nvidia fans are prepared for the stock’s sluggishness to persist.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
More generally speaking, there is a case that City are contending with different physical challenges this season, something that could be behind second-half slumps and sluggishness without the ball.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
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
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
Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Still, even Nvidia fans are prepared for the stock’s sluggishness to persist.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
More generally speaking, there is a case that City are contending with different physical challenges this season, something that could be behind second-half slumps and sluggishness without the ball.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggishness
Noun
-
The Simpson Family The doctor said the time when a sinus infection becomes an emergency is when symptoms are changing rapidly, such as severe headaches, confusion, lethargy, decreased appetite and seizures.—
Jenna DeAngelis,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Common endocarditis symptoms include fever, lethargy, fast heart rate or pulmonary symptoms such as a cough or shortness of breath.—
Emily Brindley
Health Reporter,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Your partner’s frustration about your tardiness becomes, in your mind, an indictment of your character.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The first is about her constant tardiness for the party-ness (ohhhhh, ohhhhh).—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The lack of a clear frontrunner reflects broader candidate disengagement and voter apathy rather than healthy political competition, with only four of eight Democratic candidates even appearing at a major housing panel just weeks before the primary.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The impossibility of keeping up breeds apathy and stymies opposition.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the George offices, Berman loses it once and for all at John’s lateness, his indifference to the daily operations of the magazine, and his hardheaded refusal to consider the TV show.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The lateness of the case is the Democrats’ own fault.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Larger tires increase rotational inertia and lengthen the lever arm between hub and road, forcing the braking system to work harder.—
Bryan Rogala,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The only thing that could work against it at this point is inertia—and enthusiasm for Sinners, a smash hit that picked up the most Oscar nominations this year and seems to engender a similar amount of love in the room at every industry event.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
13 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 30 Mar. 2026.
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