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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sluggish
The sluggish pace was particularly evident during the defense case: Madigan’s attorneys started calling witnesses nearly a month ago — Dec. 19 — but there have been only six days of testimony since.
—
Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
Germany's sluggish economic performance paints a troubling picture for the eurozone, with many looking to the incoming government for a strategy to turn the tide.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
The macroeconomic situation remained sluggish over the course of 2024, a year marked by geopolitical conflict, high interest rates, inflation, rising shipping costs and a housing slowdown.
—Sofia Celeste, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix helped the Broncos offense manage 32.5 points per game over the last seven contests after a sluggish start to the year.
—The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sluggish 
Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025
Germany's sluggish economic performance paints a troubling picture for the eurozone, with many looking to the incoming government for a strategy to turn the tide.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
The macroeconomic situation remained sluggish over the course of 2024, a year marked by geopolitical conflict, high interest rates, inflation, rising shipping costs and a housing slowdown.
—Sofia Celeste, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix helped the Broncos offense manage 32.5 points per game over the last seven contests after a sluggish start to the year.
—The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sluggish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggish
Adjective
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The Israel Defense Forces have been slow to withdraw from their position in the southern part of Lebanon despite a Nov. 27 ceasefire deal that gave the Lebanese Army and the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon exclusive jurisdiction over the region.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
18 Jan. 2025
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Randle has often been slow to close out on 3-point shooters and inattentive off the ball.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This southern island in the country’s archipelago is a sleepy place, a welcome respite from the development, sometimes overdevelopment, going on elsewhere in the region including the country’s main island Providenciales.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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The once relatively sleepy city, long overshadowed by its neighbor Como, has now woken up—and established itself as a destination unto itself.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Vogue,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Nearby, pedestrians take leisurely strolls along the Wrigley Greenbelt and bike riders zip across the L.A. River trail overhead.—
Laura Anaya-Morga,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
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For either short trips to the store or long, leisurely road trips the E 450 is made to coddle you.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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On the thirteenth-century tomb of Eleanor of Aquitaine, she is shown wide awake and reading, while her dull and kingly husband sleeps for all eternity.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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Dune: Part Two, another fantasy of third-world power struggle, is dull but dedicated to globalism.—
Armond White,
National Review,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In the wake of Tuesday night’s home humiliation at the hands of the lottery-lusting Portland Trail Blazers, before the current team sanction, coach Erik Spoelstra was asked about the third consecutive largely lethargic performance from Butler.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2025
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Santos has given nice spot minutes for the Warriors recently, pumping energy and hustle into a team that has too often been lethargic.—
Anthony Slater,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggish. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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