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

Since the quarter, the stock has rallied as the market has become more comfortable with Disney’s outlook, expecting that sluggish trends for its experiences business could reverse if multiple Fed rate cuts take some pressure off the consumer. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024

After a sluggish 2023, crypto venture capital is slowly bouncing back. —Nina Bambysheva, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Manufacturing’s main pain points are sluggish demand and elevated interest rates, according to recent manufacturing surveys by the Institute for Supply Management and S&P Global. —Bryan Mena, CNN, 26 Sep. 2024

But that’s after the share price rally following positive economic news from China, which could indicate the country is turning a corner in sluggish consumer demand. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 26 Sep. 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