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

The very top of the art market is reigniting after three years of sluggish performance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The result is bloated discussions, sluggish decisions and diluted expertise.

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Market sentiment continues to be dampened by the sluggish November export data and rising production expectations, Kenanga adds.

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This could potentially benefit British companies, and boost economic growth in the UK which has been sluggish.

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The plan could revive an industry that spent decades managing aging plants and facing sluggish demand.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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