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
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
Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff—who has emerged as the main contact broker with Moscow officials—met Putin in St. Petersburg on Friday in a bid to move on sluggish negotiations on a ceasefire deal.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
There have been too many games this season where Tottenham have looked sluggish up front and struggled to create chances, but that was not the case on Thursday.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Ridership still remains sluggish in many cities even five years after people shifted to working from home during the pandemic.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
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Feeling sluggish, depressed, anxious, and having trouble concentrating while being sick might not just be due to physical weakness.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
There have been too many games this season where Tottenham have looked sluggish up front and struggled to create chances, but that was not the case on Thursday.
—Jay Harris, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Ridership still remains sluggish in many cities even five years after people shifted to working from home during the pandemic.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
Feeling sluggish, depressed, anxious, and having trouble concentrating while being sick might not just be due to physical weakness.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sluggish. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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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