sluggish

adjective

slug·​gish ˈslə-gish 

1

: averse to activity or exertion : indolent

also : torpid

2

: slow to respond (as to stimulation or treatment)

3

a

: markedly slow in movement, flow, or growth

b

: economically inactive or slow

sluggishly adverb

sluggishness noun

Synonyms

• crawling
• creeping
• dallying
• dawdling
• dilatory
• dillydallying
• dragging
• laggard
• lagging
• languid
• leisurely
• poking
• poky
• pokey
• slow
• snail-paced
• snaillike
• tardy
• unhurried

Examples of sluggish in a Sentence

The game picked up after a sluggish start.

the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome

Recent Examples on the Web

Hacks, the lingering doubts about the safety and security of cryptoassets, and the price volatility so closely affiliated with tokens such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have all contributed to the sluggish overall adoption of crypto for payments. —Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

If your bag’s zippers have become sluggish, keep getting stuck, or are at risk of completely breaking, save yourself the stress and replace your luggage. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025

Nothing tests your patience like a sluggish tablet. —Juhi Wadia, PCMAG, 19 Mar. 2025

So Far Elon Musk Responds to Canadian Tesla Move Tesla's stock has declined 38 percent so far in 2025, a sign of falling investor confidence in the company amid Musk's political involvement, sluggish sales and growing foreign competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market. —David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sluggish

adjective

slug·​gish ˈsləg-ish 

: slow in movement or reaction by habit or condition

sluggishly adverb

sluggishness noun

Medical Definition

sluggish

adjective

slug·​gish ˈsləg-ish 

: markedly slow in movement, progression, or response

sluggish healing

sluggishly adverb

sluggishness noun