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

• slow
• leisurely
• lagging

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

Their third game saw a more sluggish offensive showing, but Texas still managed to beat UTEP 27‑10. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025

Meanwhile, home sales have been so sluggish that some sellers have been taking their listings off the market. —Addy Bink, The Hill, 20 Sep. 2025

But Benedict was no John Paul II, and sales of his image at Catholic novelty shops were probably sluggish. —Anna Bruno september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025

The shift was considered a potential game-changer at the time, and was widely billed as a way to turn Germany's sluggish economy around. —Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 19 Sep. 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