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
The offseason addition of Saquon Barkley helped elevate a sluggish offense for the Philadelphia Eagles and lead the team to a Super Bowl.
—
Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
In testing, navigating the smart monitor functions often proved sluggish, with poor responsiveness and long load times.
—PCMAG, 31 Jan. 2025
Adding Alonso to a lineup that includes Santander and either Guerrero or Bregman would make the Blue Jays an instant playoff contender and redeem what has been an otherwise sluggish offseason for MLB's lone Canadian franchise.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
This at a time when a sluggish box office and a lack of employment in onscreen entertainment has already given the business a sickly Nosferatu-like pallor.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sluggish 
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Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
In testing, navigating the smart monitor functions often proved sluggish, with poor responsiveness and long load times.
—PCMAG, 31 Jan. 2025
Adding Alonso to a lineup that includes Santander and either Guerrero or Bregman would make the Blue Jays an instant playoff contender and redeem what has been an otherwise sluggish offseason for MLB's lone Canadian franchise.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
This at a time when a sluggish box office and a lack of employment in onscreen entertainment has already given the business a sickly Nosferatu-like pallor.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sluggish
Articles Related to sluggish
Dictionary Entries Near sluggish
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sluggish. Accessed 8 Feb. 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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