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
The basic concept in hockey that the game begins when the puck drops eluded the Ducks all season and, fittingly, a sluggish start ended their campaign on Thursday night at Honda Center.
—
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
But too many organizations are still reliant on sluggish manual processes with limited insight into suppliers.
—Alex Saric, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
After several disappointing seasons, Boston was off to a sloppy, sluggish start.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Disruption from the Iran war is weighing on spending by luxury consumers in the Middle East, formerly one of the sector's few bright spots amid sluggish growth in former growth driver China and in Europe.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
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Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
But too many organizations are still reliant on sluggish manual processes with limited insight into suppliers.
—Alex Saric, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
After several disappointing seasons, Boston was off to a sloppy, sluggish start.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Disruption from the Iran war is weighing on spending by luxury consumers in the Middle East, formerly one of the sector's few bright spots amid sluggish growth in former growth driver China and in Europe.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sluggish. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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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