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
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
Social media videos illustrated the frustration among civilians at the sluggish response of the military; some appealed directly to President Putin.
—
Tim Lister, CNN, 10 Aug. 2024
To be sure, DuPont’s water business has recently been caught in a cyclical downturn due to excess inventory at distributors and weaker industrial demand in China, which has been grappling with a sluggish economy.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 9 Aug. 2024
Lower mortgage rates could prompt more sales after a sluggish 2023.
—Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2024
Whether this proactive attitude is a response to America’s sluggish healthcare system or a quest for control at a chaotic time in history is anyone’s guess.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sluggish 
Tim Lister, CNN, 10 Aug. 2024
To be sure, DuPont’s water business has recently been caught in a cyclical downturn due to excess inventory at distributors and weaker industrial demand in China, which has been grappling with a sluggish economy.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 9 Aug. 2024
Lower mortgage rates could prompt more sales after a sluggish 2023.
—Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2024
Whether this proactive attitude is a response to America’s sluggish healthcare system or a quest for control at a chaotic time in history is anyone’s guess.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sluggish
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sluggish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sluggish. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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