sluggish

[sluhg-ish]

adjective

1. indisposed to action or exertion; lacking in energy; lazy; indolent.

   a sluggish disposition.

   Synonyms: slothful, slow
   Antonyms: active, quick

2. not acting or working with full vigor, as bodily organs.

   a sluggish liver.

3. slow to act or respond.

   a sluggish car engine.

4. moving slowly, or having little motion, as a stream.

5. slow, as motion.

6. slack, as trade, business, or sales.

sluggish

/ ˈslʌɡɪʃ /

adjective

1. lacking energy; inactive; slow-moving

2. functioning at below normal rate or level

3. exhibiting poor response to stimulation

Other Word Forms

• sluggishly adverb
• sluggishness noun
• unsluggish adjective
• unsluggishly adverb
• unsluggishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sluggish¹

First recorded in 1400–50, sluggish is from the late Middle English word slugissh. See slug ¹, -ish ¹

Synonym Study

See inactive.

Example Sentences

And when business is sluggish, the mani-pedi price drops to 10 bucks.

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The central bank expects sluggish growth in the second half of 2025, held back by weak export volumes, uncertainty, and Ottawa’s efforts to slow immigration.

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The group had warned in September that sales growth would come in at the lower end of the range, citing sluggish fragrance demand over the summer.

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After years of sluggish growth, this is the second consecutive quarter in which iPhone revenue increased compared with the same period last year.

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Management should be especially encouraged by specialty medicines offsetting sluggish vaccine sales, he adds.

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Related Words

• heavy 
• inactive 
• lethargic 
• listless 
• slack 
• slow 
• stagnant