1
as in slow
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed
the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
reptiles are naturally sluggish at low temperatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sluggish
Another part comes as the retailer plans to revamp stores after several years of sluggish sales.
—
Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The sluggish living makes sense for steely behemoths that live comfortably into their 200s and possible to 400 or more.
—Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Frankly, the 2-0 half-time scoreline was merciful on Villa, whose players looking sluggish and devoid of any inspiration.
—Tottenham Hotspur, New York Times, 3 May 2026
The Iran conflict has increased energy prices, which could lead to a sluggish economic growth.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The sluggish living makes sense for steely behemoths that live comfortably into their 200s and possible to 400 or more.
—Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Frankly, the 2-0 half-time scoreline was merciful on Villa, whose players looking sluggish and devoid of any inspiration.
—Tottenham Hotspur, New York Times, 3 May 2026
The Iran conflict has increased energy prices, which could lead to a sluggish economic growth.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggish
Adjective
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Banchero up-and-down The Magic superstar forward got off to a slow start by opening 1-for-6 from the field, including missing his first four 3-pointers.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
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More Americans are heading into retirement without a pension, and are instead leaning on savings accounts and investment portfolios that have become increasingly subject to market swings and the slow erosion of inflation.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Tuesday evening’s event didn’t devolve into the chaos of a cacophonous debate last week but was far livelier than a relatively sleepy one last month.—
Ben Paviour
May 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
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The president endorsed their challengers and his allies spent millions of dollars in what are normally sleepy state legislative races.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Spend the next few hours strolling around the Davidson College campus, shopping for a new read at Main Street Books or a charming memento at Honeysuckle Home, and having a leisurely lunch at The Pickled Peach.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
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Riva Beach Club Sip an Aperol spritz or a glass of Swiss merlot after a leisurely lake swim at Riva Beach Club, a boutique hotel whose beachside access in Vira—the historical center of Gambarogno—is hard to beat.—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Best gentle shampoo for colored hair This award-winning shampoo and conditioner duo is made with organic rose oil and peaches, which revive dull or fading color.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
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The Noni Glow Face Oil is Miranda’s favorite, a lightweight yet powerful face oil formulated to help visibly nourish, brighten and smooth dry or dull skin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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The lagging percentage of women film directors last year is a clear sign that the industry is going backward, said Kirsten Schaffer, chief executive of WIF, which advocates for women in Hollywood.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
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The United States typically experiences the lagging edge of Latin American displacement waves.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Even before the Iran war, stockpiles had been drained by lethargic manufacturing and munitions donations to Ukraine and Israel.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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The rescue group reported he was dehydrated and lethargic.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggish. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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