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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sluggish
Türkiye, in Australia’s first match, had been sluggish and unthreatening.
—
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
1 July 2026
Russia’s economy has been in mostly good health since the war began—sluggish, but never falling prey to the crash many analysts predicted.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
30 June 2026
The symptoms covered here describe sluggish flow in otherwise healthy adults and aren’t diagnostic criteria on their own.
—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
29 June 2026
Jawline and neck breakouts can reflect sluggish lymphatic circulation, since lymph nodes are concentrated in that area.
—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
1 July 2026
Russia’s economy has been in mostly good health since the war began—sluggish, but never falling prey to the crash many analysts predicted.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
30 June 2026
The symptoms covered here describe sluggish flow in otherwise healthy adults and aren’t diagnostic criteria on their own.
—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
29 June 2026
Jawline and neck breakouts can reflect sluggish lymphatic circulation, since lymph nodes are concentrated in that area.
—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sluggish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sluggish
Adjective
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There was no repeat of the slow start that cost him a spot last season.
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The house old-fashioned can be made with bourbon or gin and is a much slower sip.
Adjective
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Unlike much of the group stage, Sunday’s game was a sloppy, sleepy affair, with South Africa relying on some heroic play from its back line to keep the game even.
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The phone achieved download speeds of 463Mbps and upload speeds of 39Mbps in 5G testing in sleepy suburban areas.
Adjective
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Mondays have $5 martinis, mules and margaritas, Fridays and Saturdays are for boogying upstairs and the patio at Metro is an any-day spot for a leisurely drink or three.
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That was when the lensman captured the social set at their leisurely and often strikingly dressed best.
Adjective
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But all work and no play can make for a dull chief scientific officer.
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The great speculators became talkative and communicative or dull, sullen, silent, and peevish.
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.
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The United States typically experiences the lagging edge of Latin American displacement waves.
Adjective
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Signs of heat stroke in dogs include heavy panting and drooling, being weak or lethargic, bright red gums and bloodshot eyes.
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When to Contact a Wildlife Rehabilitator Always contact a wildlife rehabilitator if the turtle appears injured, such as having a cracked shell, or seems lethargic or sick.
Cite this Entry
“Sluggish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sluggish. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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