1
as in dilatoriness
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2
as in lethargy
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Recent Examples of sluggishness
These rapid blood sugar spikes and dips can drain you of your energy, leading to sluggishness, irritability, and increased hunger.
—
Kristen Gasnick, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2026
One aspect of California’s economic sluggishness is an outflow of workers due to its sky-high living costs.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
The sluggishness of recent months is beginning to lift, and April arrives with a welcome surge of momentum and physical energy.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
More generally speaking, there is a case that City are contending with different physical challenges this season, something that could be behind second-half slumps and sluggishness without the ball.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The problem of persistent economic sluggishness, the inability to reenergize the powerful engines of rapid growth, has preoccupied both policymakers and business leaders.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
But a more immediate concern is dealing with a prolonged period of sluggishness that has depressed consumer and business confidence.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Positively, though, sluggishness was a temporary trend.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
The question, then, is whether the sluggishness of the business, the suffering of union members and threats on the horizon might dissuade either side from playing hardball — or whether recent events will embolden one or the other.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
Kristen Gasnick, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2026
One aspect of California’s economic sluggishness is an outflow of workers due to its sky-high living costs.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
The sluggishness of recent months is beginning to lift, and April arrives with a welcome surge of momentum and physical energy.
—Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
More generally speaking, there is a case that City are contending with different physical challenges this season, something that could be behind second-half slumps and sluggishness without the ball.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The problem of persistent economic sluggishness, the inability to reenergize the powerful engines of rapid growth, has preoccupied both policymakers and business leaders.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
But a more immediate concern is dealing with a prolonged period of sluggishness that has depressed consumer and business confidence.
—Ken Moritsugu, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Positively, though, sluggishness was a temporary trend.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
The question, then, is whether the sluggishness of the business, the suffering of union members and threats on the horizon might dissuade either side from playing hardball — or whether recent events will embolden one or the other.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggishness
Noun
-
Early signs of canine parvovirus in dogs include lethargy, lack of appetite and fever, PetMD said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
This risk is when this carefulness crosses over into lethargy.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Such an occurrence is only startling at Florida because the previous man who stood behind that podium had a habit of tardiness.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Your partner’s frustration about your tardiness becomes, in your mind, an indictment of your character.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To succeed for the GOP, the map requires both 2024’s Democratic and independent voter apathy and 2022’s swing to the right by independents.—
Daniel A. Smith,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Experts say the participation rate in local races stands in contrast to the broader apathy felt toward the Palestinian Authority.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Stephanie Wambugu on lateness as an act of passive resistance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
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The scorecard will consist of things like on-time, arrival, breakdowns, latenesses and vintage of the bus, the deputy chancellor said.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Cuban model isn’t working, and its allies—China, Russia, and the pragmatic wing of Latin American progressivism—seem to have grown tired of the government’s inertia.—
Carlos Manuel Alvarez,
Time,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In space, only inertia causes objects to move.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Europe’s lassitude is heightened by internal divisions.—
HENRY FARRELL,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
-
As something of a companion piece to More, Jacques Deray’s summer thriller La Piscine is a far more dramatic and insidious tale of tropical desire, lassitude, and violence.—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sluggishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggishness. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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