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

A little over five minutes later, the Leafs again pounced on a sluggish Panthers side when John Tavares stuffed a wraparound goal past Bobrovsky. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 10 May 2025

The Maple Leafs have a 12-8 edge in shots on goal, but the Panthers looked considerably better down the stretch after a sluggish opening six minutes. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025

The sluggish traffic at America’s largest gateways has dockworkers and truck drivers worried about their jobs, the reporter said. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 8 May 2025

Recurring reports of sluggish Wi-Fi, for example, might justify a bandwidth upgrade, directly enhancing livability. —Johan Hajji, Forbes.com, 6 May 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