SLUGGISHNESS Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

sluggishness

noun

Definition of sluggishness

as in dilatoriness

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Dissimilar Words

as in lethargy

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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 Both modes are rated at 60 Hz, which is an unusually high refresh rate for ePaper and should take some of the sluggishness out of scrolling and cursor movement. — New Atlas, 14 Sep. 2026 But exercising hard immediately after a large meal may cause nausea, cramping, heartburn, or feelings of sluggishness. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 In the sluggishness and repetitiousness of Collin’s podcast book, there is nothing to rival Némirovsky’s novels, which take enormous chances without leaving everyday reality. — David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 The sluggishness in payroll growth is not translating into higher unemployment. — Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 China’s economy has been under pressure from sluggishness in domestic spending and investment, as a yearslong weakness in its massive property sector hits consumer confidence. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 All this chugs along satisfyingly even with the occasional patch of sluggishness and the usual overly convoluted plot contortions. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggishness

Noun

Berkowitz also shared that Taylor’s greatest flaw was her notorious tardiness.

— Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2026
The star’s tardiness usually resulted from her elaborate glam process.

— Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of tardiness

Noun

Phrasemaking is perhaps no contribution to the intellectual heritage of the race, but phrasemakers do snap us out of lethargy, and frequently out of ingrowing pessimism, which may be worse than frenzy.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Be aware of and report any coyotes exhibiting behavior indicative of rabies, such as staggering, seizures and extreme lethargy.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of lethargy

Noun

Given our lateness, only a few things would be deemed worthy enough to delay getting to the census site.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
On July 6, reports stated that Harry was offered and had accepted an invite to stay at Buckingham Palace—but the invite was reportedly rescinded due to the lateness of his RSVP.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of lateness

Noun

His final essay collection asks many provocative questions about industrialism and apathy, but (perhaps wisely) offers no solutions to the world’s ills.

— Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, the 57-year-old has not hidden his apathy for Hollywood.

— Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of apathy

Noun

The Stanford researchers estimated that sellers can roughly double revenue because of consumer inertia, when people forget or put off canceling, and cancellation friction, when ending a subscription takes too much time or effort.

— Barbara Booth, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
For more than two decades, bad science and bureaucratic inertia have resulted in women and physicians having an incomplete view of HRT.

— Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 22 Sep. 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

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sluggishly

sluggishness

slugs

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“Sluggishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggishness. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sluggishness

noun

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