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 a sluggish start, the Jayhawks led 38-31 at the half.
—
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
This sluggish success drove some tough decisionmaking from Navratil.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
With the local economy still sluggish and other revenue streams underperforming, city officials argue the transient occupancy tax from 10% to 12% would add $10 million in annual recurring revenue without negatively impacting the hospitality industry.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
For most Americans, the housing market remained stubbornly sluggish in 2025.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
This sluggish success drove some tough decisionmaking from Navratil.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
With the local economy still sluggish and other revenue streams underperforming, city officials argue the transient occupancy tax from 10% to 12% would add $10 million in annual recurring revenue without negatively impacting the hospitality industry.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
For most Americans, the housing market remained stubbornly sluggish in 2025.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggish
Adjective
-
That builds on similar trends throughout 2025, when the industry buoyed an otherwise slow labor market, as the nation’s hospitals, clinics and nursing homes kept hiring even as many employers pulled back.—
Abha Bhattarai,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Any type of realism was [limited to] very short clips, everything was very slow, bad textures, no skin textures, lacking detail.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Her baffling disappearance has gripped the nation, leading many Americans to question how an octogenarian leading a sleepy life in the Southwest was taken while her neighbors were asleep.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
In 2020, however, narcos invaded the sleepy rancho and robbed, killed and kidnapped with abandon.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Just like the trains themselves, these glamorous culinary experiences are reminiscent of the golden era of travel, with gracious table-settings, intricate confections, and a leisurely, unhurried pace.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
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The hike up took under two hours at a leisurely pace, and the 360-degree views of the entire island were surreal.—
James Barrett,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But all work and no play can make for a dull chief medical officer.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
30 Jan. 2026
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People living in Bridgeville were excited to see dull pavement.—
Chris Hoffman,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Gardner played as an energetic pest throughout, something the Heat needed amid a lethargic performance, closing with 12 points and 11 rebounds.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
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During the meeting, which Castro said lasted about 30 minutes, Liam appeared lethargic and slept in his father's arms, according to Castro.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggish. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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