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
Despite the sluggish economy, many of Orban’s supporters believe that external factors — not government mismanagement — are at fault.
—
Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The Spurs got off to a sluggish start, missing their first three shots and committing a turnover in the opening two minutes.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Stocks initially got off to a sluggish start to the day amid uncertainty about the Strait of Hormuz's openness .
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
How to Catch Channel Catfish in Spring In any river in the country, 50 degrees is the magic water temperature mark that gets catfish out of their sluggish winter patterns and roaming around.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
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Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The Spurs got off to a sluggish start, missing their first three shots and committing a turnover in the opening two minutes.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Stocks initially got off to a sluggish start to the day amid uncertainty about the Strait of Hormuz's openness .
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
How to Catch Channel Catfish in Spring In any river in the country, 50 degrees is the magic water temperature mark that gets catfish out of their sluggish winter patterns and roaming around.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 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 12 Apr. 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
