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

Its performance—powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 and 4 GB of RAM—is sluggish. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 27 Feb. 2025

Tax season continued its sluggish start into early February, but tax refunds continued to steadily roll out the door. —Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025

Earlier in February, sluggish growth and a recent drop in inflation prompted the Bank of England to make its first interest rate cut of the year, bringing its benchmark rate down to 4.5%. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 19 Feb. 2025

Fueled by a sluggish Japanese Yen and the post-pandemic urge to explore far beyond one’s home turf, Japan tourism shows no signs of slowing. —Katie Chang, Forbes, 19 Feb. 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