1
as in slow
moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed
the sluggish pace of the project is worrisome
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sleepy
slow to move or act
reptiles are naturally sluggish at low temperatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sluggish
Despite the clean, intuitive interface, navigating between different Box sections feels sluggish.
—
Robert Anderson, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Six months later, the initiative is off to a sluggish start, according to interviews with app makers.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
UConn had another sluggish start in the Elite Eight, particularly on the offensive end.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
OpenClaw’s arrival coincides with an economic slowdown in China that has exacerbated youth unemployment and sluggish domestic consumption –– with Beijing projecting its lowest growth rate in decades in 2026.
—CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Robert Anderson, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Six months later, the initiative is off to a sluggish start, according to interviews with app makers.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
UConn had another sluggish start in the Elite Eight, particularly on the offensive end.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
OpenClaw’s arrival coincides with an economic slowdown in China that has exacerbated youth unemployment and sluggish domestic consumption –– with Beijing projecting its lowest growth rate in decades in 2026.
—CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggish
Adjective
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In fact, businesses hired workers at their slowest pace since 2011, excluding the onset of the pandemic in 2020.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
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The area’s large tourist population contributes a constant volume of unfamiliar drivers to already heavily congested roads, with traffic patterns that shift significantly between peak tourist season and the summer months but never truly slow to manageable levels on the area’s major corridors.—
Anton Lucanus
April 3,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The neighborhood/area Located in the sleepy St James parish in the hills, the lively west coast towns of the island are a mere 10-minute drive, boasting beaches, bars, restaurants, shops, and grocery stores.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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Flower Beds, Perennials, and Ornamentals Herbaceous perennials are likely still pretty sleepy, but fat buds, flowers, and even the start of leaves unfurling are all happening on woodier ornamentals.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Many Parisian restaurants are relatively small, so tables fill up quickly and stay filled because dining is a leisurely event, with tables turning over less frequently.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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By the 1950s Madras print in the United States had become a popular style for Ivy League students, gentleman’s business attire, and leisurely vacation wear.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Hochheiser, who could not return to his condo due to a mold infestation, said one dull day melted into another at Villa Rosa III.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Found Sound is a story about two kids, Felix and Marigold, and a seemingly dull summer vacation that’s upended when the kids find an old wooden box that says OPEN ME.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The lagging percentage of women film directors last year is a clear sign that the industry is going backward, said Kirsten Schaffer, chief executive of WIF, which advocates for women in Hollywood.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
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The United States typically experiences the lagging edge of Latin American displacement waves.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Another great way to work a Texas rig on days where the bass may be more lethargic is a slow drag.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
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Woods wasn’t injured when his SUV flipped, though authorities said Woods’ eyes were bloodshot and described his movements as lethargic during questioning.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggish. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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