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

That road’s proximity alone seems to incite drivers to gun through lights, career through turns, and attempt to swerve around sluggish amblers. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 13 Nov. 2024

The Arctic's relatively sluggish sea ice growth since the start of winter follows a summer that ended with the sixth lowest minimum extent on record. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Industrial gas supplier Linde reported a solid third quarter on Thursday, proving once again its ability to grow revenues and earnings in a sluggish macro and industrial environment. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024

The Japanese stock markets have in recent years rebounded after three decades of sluggish performance. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024

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