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

The production, directed by Mina Morita, renders the play in solid, if slightly sluggish, fashion. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025

Homebuyers continued to wait for mortgage rates to drop last year and sellers, especially condo owners, waited for buyers to show up in a meaningful way during what was another sluggish year for the state’s housing market, according to a monthly update from the Colorado Association of Realtors. —Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2025

Flavored yogurt may cause a blood sugar spike after eating it, increasing cravings and sluggish energy levels. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 20 Jan. 2025

After a sluggish first half, Golden State’s offense found life in the final two quarters and held on to beat the last-place Washington Wizards 122-114 to open its two-game homestand. —Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 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